Headliner of this year’s edition of the Rio Open presented by Claro, world’s number two Alexander Zverev was stunned by Argentinian Francisco Comesana this Thursday night at Court Guga Kuerten by 4/6, 6/3 and 6/4.
Currently number 86 in the world, Comesana became the lowest-ranked player to earn a Top 3 victory since then number 123 Luca Nardi, from Italy, defeated then world number one Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells last year.
He will now face Frenchman Alexandre Muller at the semifinal this Saturday at Jockey Club Brasileiro. Muller defeated Francisco Cerundo by 7/5 and 6/1 this Friday.
With the win Comesana joins fellow Argentinians Sebastian Baez and Camilo Ugo Carabelli at the semifinals of the Rio Open, equaling the record of same-country players at this stage of the tournament _in 2014 three Spaniards made to the SFs: Rafael Nadal, Pablo Andujar and David Ferrer.
“It's amazing that we have three Argentinians at the semis. I’m really happy with the win today. I tried to enjoy every second of the day, I knew it was not going to be easy and I just wanted to try my best because I have no idea when I’ll have another chance to play a top player like Zverev”, said Comesana.
“I love tennis and I’m really grateful for being a professional. I try to enjoy everything I can”, added the 24-year old.
Playing for the first time in South-America since 2022, Zverev was seeking for his 72nd tour level semifinal and the first at the continent.
“I think I played better here than in Buenos Aires but very unfortunate for me to finish a tournament like this, because I was in a winning position in the third set, and, you know, I lost the match myself, which is unfortunately for me”, said the German after his sixth consecutive clay-court quarterfinal.
"Generally speaking, of course, not the level that I wanted to show on the court. But yeah, I still enjoyed my time, especially here in Rio.”
Muller reached his third ATP Tour final _he won the two previous ones.
"I'm feeling great after today's match, I was feeling really confident and I'm playing very well since the beginning of the week, so I'm very happy. The match with Comesana will be a tough one. I think he's a very good player. He played well in Wimbledon and the US Open. So we'll see."
Results - Friday, 21 February 2025
Men's Singles - Quarterfinal
[5] S. Baez (ARG) d [Q] C. Tseng (TPE) 64 61
F. Comesana (ARG) d [1] A. Zverev (GER) 46 63 64
A. Muller (FRA) d [4] F. Cerundolo (ARG) 75 61
[LL] C. Ugo Carabelli (ARG) d [LL] J. Faria (POR) 76(5) 64
Men's Doubles - Semifinal
P. Martinez (ESP)/J. Munar (ESP) d [1] M. Gonzalez (ARG)/A. Molteni (ARG) 64 64
R. Matos (BRA)/M. Melo (BRA) d L. Darderi (ITA)/M. Navone (ARG) 67(3) 63 10-5
ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2025
Quadra Guga Kuerten - start 17:00
Starts At 17:00
[5] Sebastian Baez (ARG) vs [LL] Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG)
Francisco Comesana (ARG) vs Alexandre Muller (FRA)
Not Before 20:00
Doubles Final - Pedro Martinez (ESP) / Jaume Munar (ESP) vs Rafael Matos (BRA) / Marcelo Melo (BRA)
