After winning the ATP 500 in Rio and the ATP 250 in Santiago, Sebastián Báez, 19th in the world, lost to local Taylor Fritz (12th) 6-2 and 6-2 in the 3rd round.
The extraordinary streak of 10 consecutive wins was cut in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 for the Argentine Sebastian BaezNo. 19 in the world ranking, who lost against the American Taylor Fritz (No. 12) by 6-2 and 6-2 in 1h 8m on court 2, for the third round of the Californian tournament.
After making a great tour on South American clay, with titles in the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro and in the ATP 250 of Santiago de Chile, Sebastian Baez suffered a hard blow with the change of surface. The American Taylor Fritz He achieved what no one could in the last two weeks, erasing the Buenos Aires tennis player from the court. Without hesitating at any time, the North American giant (former No. 5 in the world, in February 2023) brought out his best level, without trying too hard. He forced the Argentine’s own mistakes with the power of his shots, to the point that he did not concede to Sebastian Baez Not a chance to break with his serve throughout the match.
This way, Sebastian Baez still unable to defeat on the circuit Taylor Fritz, who won all four matches. In the round of 16 of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 Last year, both faced each other and the local team won comfortably (6-1 and 6-2). In any case, with the results he achieved on the South American tour on slow courts, Sebastian Baez He is positioned as a strong candidate to fight for several titles on European clay, which will begin next April.
Indian Wells, tournament acquaintance for Taylor Fritz
For its part, Taylor Fritz achieved his 20th victory in the Indian Wells Masters 1000where he was champion in 2022 and made the semifinals in 2021. His rival in the round of 16 will be the young Dane Holger Rune (7th), who comes from beating the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (26th) by 6-2 and 7-6 (5) in 1h 36m.
In his first appearance, Holger Rune He left a good impression against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Saving Musetti’s only two break balls, Rune played very aggressive tennis, with up to 24 winning shots, against 15 totaled by his rival. Rune, 20, is chasing his second title Masters 1000 in a start to the season that did not have the expected results, with a defeat in the second round of the Australian Open.
Holger Rune @BNPPARIBASOPEN.jpeg
@BNPPARIBASOPEN
Novak DjokovicFor his part, he faced another young Italian tennis player, Luca Nardi (No. 123), looking for a place in the round of 8, where they already qualified Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. In case of victory against Nardi, Djokovic will face a dangerous cross against the American Tommy Paulwho on Monday beat the Frenchman 6-4 twice Ugo Humbertwinner of the ATP 500 in Dubai ten days ago.
Source: Ambito
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