Reigning champion of the Rio Open presented by Claro, Sebastian Baez was taken by surprise by the Fonseca frenzy that took over the Jockey Club Brasileiro this year.
“It seems like he is Ayrton Senna these days”, joked the Argentinian this Tuesday after his first round win over fellow countryman Roman Burruchaga.
“João is definitely a star and a great player. Besides that he seems like a very good kid. It doesn’t surprise me at all because Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are also good people and always treated me with respect. I’m not making any comparisons here, but if we judge by the numbers it looks like he’s going to achieve a lot. Of course there’s a long road ahead but I hope he enjoys the ride”, said Baez, who tries to become the first player at the Rio Open history to win two titles.
This Tuesday he had no problems to advance to second round even though he was expecting to play Sumit Nagal _the Indian withdrew less than one hour before the match.
“I was mentally prepared to play someone else, which is never easy, and besides Roman and I know each other pretty well, so it was a tough match. But I love playing in Rio, I feel like a local here, and I fell no extra pressure being the reigning champion. I start this year from scratch here”, said Baez after the 6/3 and 7/5 win.
He will now face Mariano Navone in a rematch from last year’s final in Rio. The Argentinian overcame Roberto Carballes Baena, from Spain, by 6/4 and 6/3.
“It's going to be a tough match, I have no doubt. Last year I was a little bit nervous and I faced a Sebastian that looked like a wall. He played really well here and in Santiago and won back to back titles wich was impressive. I played really well last week and I feel confident I can win”, said Navone.
Also advancing to the second round this Tuesday was Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who defeated Frenchman Correntin Moutet by 6/3 and 7/6 (1).
Runner-up in Buenos Aires last Sunday, Francisco Cerundulo also made it to the second round with a win over Hugo Gaston, from France, in two sets: 7/6 (9) and 6/0. He now faces Italian Luciano Darderi in the next round. The Italian advanced after qualifier Hugo Dellien withdrew in the second set. And Damir Dzumhur defeated Dusan Lajovic to advance to second round.
Results - Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Men's Singles - Round of 32
[5] S. Baez (ARG) d [LL] R. Burruchaga (ARG) 63 75
[1] A. Zverev (GER) d Y. Bu (CHN) 76(4) 64
A. Muller (FRA) d [SE] J. Fonseca (BRA) 61 76(4)
[8] T. Etcheverry (ARG) d C. Moutet (FRA) 63 76(1)
[4] F. Cerundolo (ARG) d H. Gaston (FRA) 76(9) 60
D. Dzumhur (BIH) d D. Lajovic (SRB) 63 64
M. Navone (ARG) d R. Carballes Baena (ESP) 64 63
[LL] C. Ugo Carabelli (ARG) d [7] P. Martinez (ESP) 46 63 63
L. Darderi (ITA) d [Q] H. Dellien (BOL) 76(2) 22 Retired
[LL] J. Faria (POR) d [Q] T. Barrios Vera (CHI) 62 75
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
[WC] O. Luz (BRA)/F. Meligeni Alves (BRA) d [2] A. Behar (URU)/R. Galloway (USA) 64 76(4)
[WC] M. Demoliner (BRA)/F. Romboli (BRA) d N. Barrientos (COL)/G. Jacq (FRA) 64 76(2)
[Q] F. Cabral (POR)/J. Rojer (NED) d A. Erler (AUT)/C. Frantzen (GER) 76(5) 62
L. Darderi (ITA)/M. Navone (ARG) d F. Cerundolo (ARG)/T. Etcheverry (ARG) 16 76(4) 11-9
