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More background is added! Sebastián Báez (30th in the world ranking) and Mariano Navone (117th) will meet in the final of the ATP 500 in Rio 2024 and this will be the 20th definition among Argentine tennis players that there will be, on the ATP circuit, in the 21st century.
The first occurred in 2000, between Juan Ignacio Chela and Mariano Puerta, in the ATP of Mexico that was held in February on clay. It was won by the current coach of Diego Schwartzman by 6-4 and 7-6 (4). The particularity of this match is that both were below the Top 120 in the ATP ranking. Later, in Stuttgart, Gastón Gaudio and Franco Squillari played a new definition, with victory for the second in five sets by 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4 and 6-2.
In 2001, in Viña del Mar, Gaudio and Guillermo Coria disputed the first definition between them. The first was among the best 40 in the world while “Willy” was in the Top 70. And the trophy, which was going to inaugurate the winner’s record, went to Coria who triumphed 4-6 , 6-2 and 7-5.
A year later, in the city of Sopot (Poland), Squillari again (occupying 133rd place) was in the definition of the contest against José Acasuso who at that time was only 19 years old. “Chucho” ended up lifting his first ATP trophy against his compatriot after defeating him 2-6, 6-1 and 6-3.
Coria and Gaudio, the most remembered final among Argentine tennis players in the 21st century. Getty Images
Between 2003 and 2004 the peak of definitions among Argentine tennis players was experienced. In 2003, Coria vs. David Nalbandian (Basel), Coria vs. Agustín Calleri (Hamburg) and Calleri vs. Mariano Zabaleta (Acapulco) while In 2004 she was the most remembered of all at Roland Garros between Coria and Gaudioadded to Bastad with Gaudio again against Zabaleta and then Stuttgart with the “Gato” again present in the definition against Guillermo Cañas.
From there, the pace slowed down. In 2005 Gaudio won the Buenos Aires trophy from Puerta and the latter won Casablanca from Juan Mónaco. A year later, they only played Chela vs Calleri in Kitzbuhel (last definition of Argentines in Europe until what was done by Báez and Cerúndolo in Bastad 2022) with victory for the man from Rio Cuarto.
After six years in a row with at least one ATP final between Argentines, in 2007 the streak was ended. It was not until 2008 that David Nalbandian and Acasuso appeared at the ATP in Buenos Aires. The victory went to “King David” who, in addition to winning the trophy, had secured his return to the Top 10 after a week out of it.
Then, three precedents followed in South America: Viña del Mar 2012, Córdoba 2019 and Buenos Aires 2021. The first was won by “Pico” Mónaco over Carlos Berlocq, the second went to Juan Ignacio Londero who beat Guido Pella and the third was won by “Peque” Schwartzman after beating Francisco Cerúndolo.
The tour continued in Bastad 2022: Seba Báez and Cerúndolo faced each other and the latter won his first trophy on the circuit, winning 7-6 and 6-2. A year later, at the Córdoba Open 2023, Báez again met with a compatriot in a definition: Federico Coria. There, the player from San Martín managed to win 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3.
Now, Báez and Navone add one more record to this long list of Argentine clashes for a championship. On this occasion, the headquarters will be in Rio, Brazil, nothing more and nothing less. Who will win the ATP 500?
2024-02-25 00:55:44
#ATP #finals #Argentines #21st #century
