With this consecration, he was able to take revenge for the final lost this year in Santiago de Chile against the Spaniard Pedro Martínez and extended the winning tradition of Argentine tennis in Estoril, where David Nalbandian (2002 and 2006), Juan Ignacio Chela ( 2004), Gastón Gaudio (2005) and Juan Martín Del Potro (2011 and 2012).
Báez, winner of a prize of 81,310 euros, will rise today from 59th place in the world ranking to 40th, which will mean a new milestone in his career: it will be his best position.
On his way to winning the Millenium Estoril Open, an ATP 250 category tournament, the Argentine successively eliminated the local Joao Souza, the Croatian Marin Cilic -third seed-, the Frenchman Richard Gasquet, the Spanish Albert Ramos Viñolas and Tiafoe. The Argentine outclassed the American in every stat of the game, as reflected by his better percentages on aces, first serves, points won on second serve, returns and break points saved.
Tiafoe started the match in an unbeatable way by confirming his serve after breaking the Argentine’s serve, who nevertheless recovered and led the first set with five consecutive games. In the second segment, based on his confidence, Báez maintained the solidity of his game and completed the task. “What to say? A week ago I was in a totally different moment than I am today”, he shared with the public at the award ceremony, referring to the elimination in the first round in Barcelona.
The Argentine thanked his coach Sebastián Gutiérrez, his entire audience and the Portuguese fans who provided a lively atmosphere for the final. “It is my first time here and feeling supported as I felt is really something to be thankful for. I hope to come back next year with even more strength”, he said.
“I really enjoyed this week, the thoughts that came to me at the time of this achievement are many, but mainly a lot of pride,” he admitted in a speech that also included recognition of his rival in the English language.
“You were an inspiration to me, you are a great player, a great person and I hope you have the best career”, he wished Tiafoe, 29th in the ranking, whom he faced for the first time.
Previously, the tennis player from Hyattsville, Maryland, had recognized the superiority of his opponent: “Sebastián deserved it much more, he was much better than me this afternoon.”
Tiafoe lost his second final in Estoril but assured that he will try again from next year because it is one of his “favorite courts”. His previous runner-up was obtained in 2018 after falling to the Portuguese Joao Sousa.
“They have given me an incredible week, unfortunately I couldn’t win but I will be back for many years. I would like them to encourage me in my country as they do here, “closed the dark-haired American.
The doubles final in Estoril also had Argentine participation but not with the same outcome since Máximo González, from Tandil, in a pair with Swedish Andre Goransson, fell to the local couple Nuno Borges-Francisco Cabral 6-2, 6-3.
Source: Ambito
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