‘I want more’ – Sebastian Baez completes all-Argentinian final at ATP Bastad Open
Sebastian Baez has joined Francisco Cerundolo in the final of the ATP 250 Bastad Open in Sweden by defeating world number eight Andrey Rublev in the last four.
The 21-year-old was in top form to oust the second seeded Russian 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour and 10 minutes.
Baez will now compete in his second ever ATP tour level final after clinching a maiden title in Estoril, Portugal back in May.
“I think I played better than yesterday [against Dominic Thiem]” Baez said in his post-match interview. “I’m happy to have won and to continue in the tournament.”
Baez will take on countryman Cerundolo, 23, in what he admitted will be a tricky encounter on Sunday.
“It will be a tough match because we’ve known each other for many years,” Baez explained “I’m happy to be in the final, of course I want more.”
Earlier on Saturday, Cerundolo himself made short work of a higher ranked player by defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2.
“I played one of my best matches in my career today,” Cerundolo said after the victory. “Everything went well and I am feeling so comfortable and I have so much confidence that it’s amazing to be playing like this.
“Hopefully I can keep going like this and maintain my level or improve it.”
Cerundolo is also into his second ever final of an ATP tour level event after making it to the championship match of the 2021 Argentina Open in Buenos Aries in March last year.
He lost to compatriot Diego Schwartzman that day, meaning he is gunning for a first ever ATP tour title in Bastad.
Moreover, both Baez and Cerundolo will enjoy new career-high ATP rankings come the next update on Monday, with the pair at 31st and 32nd in the live rankings respectively at time of publication.
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