Sebastian Baez Defends His Title at the Rio Open
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Synopsis
Sebastian Baez made history by winning the Rio Open for the second consecutive time, defeating Alexandre Muller with a score of 6-2, 6-3. The Argentine tennis player showcased an exceptional performance, securing his seventh ATP title, predominantly on clay surfaces.
Key Takeaways
- Sebastian Baez wins Rio Open for the second time.
- Defeated Alexandre Muller with a score of 6-2, 6-3.
- Baez hit 26 winners and broke Muller's serve five times.
- This victory marks Baez's seventh ATP title.
- The Rio Open is the only ATP 500 tournament in South America.
Rio de Janeiro, Feb 24 (NationPress) Argentina's Sebastian Baez made history by becoming the first player to win consecutive Rio Open titles, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-3 triumph against Alexandre Muller from France in the final of South America's premier tennis tournament.
The fifth seed delivered an impressive performance, hitting 26 winners and breaking Muller's serve on five occasions, sealing the match in just one hour and 27 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
“I’m extremely proud of my performance throughout the week,” Baez stated following his victory. “I truly enjoyed every match I played.”
“Finals carry a different weight since you aim to win the championship. My focus is crucial, and that is often the most challenging aspect in finals, yet the backing from my coach and team was essential in maintaining my concentration.”
This victory represents the 24-year-old's seventh ATP tour title, with six of those wins coming on clay, according to reports by Xinhua.
Despite showcasing a strong all-court game throughout the tournament, Muller found it tough from the beginning against the world No. 31.
The 28-year-old struggled with his serve, recording three double faults and only winning 60 percent of his first serve points and 32 percent on his second.
“He was physically better than me. I had a tough match yesterday against [Francisco] Comesana,” remarked the world No. 60, who was aiming for his second ATP title. “I tried to maintain an aggressive approach, but he played very deep, making it tough for me to move around. It was a challenging day. I had a great time in Rio, it was a fantastic week, with wonderful matches, and I hope to return next year,” Muller expressed.
The Rio Open stands out as the only ATP 500 tournament in South America and the sole ATP tour event held in Brazil.
