The Argentina Open kicks off, a tournament that grows year by year and promises a combination of attractions with Alcaraz as a great magnet

Buenos Aires experienced a sweltering Sunday. The thermometer reached 39 degrees, but the thermal sensation comfortably exceeded 40. However, the oppressive heat did not stop tennis fans from conquering the BALTC and enjoying the final day of the standings of the Open Argentinaa tournament that, with each edition, consolidates itself as one of the most important stages of the South American brick dust tour.

And it is that, although the Buenos Aires contest is on the same level as Cordoba AND Santiago de Chile (all three are ATP 250, one step below 500’s River, which completes the series), has a little more prestige than the other two events in the same category. For history – it is the oldest of the four and the one that has been part of the circuit calendar for the longest uninterrupted time – and for the present, as evidenced by the luxury main draw of the 2023 edition, which will start this Monday.

The list of rackets competing for the singles trophy includes three top 20 players and a Grand Slam champion, with Carlos Alcaraz -until a few weeks ago number one in the world and today on the second step of the standings- in the lead.

The presence of the Spanish was added to that of the English Cameron Norie11th in the standings, the Italian Lorenzo Musetto18 and one of the jewels of the Next generationand the Austrian Dominic Thiemformer ATP number 3 and winner of US Open 2020, have promoted a draw that will also have nine Argentines: diego schwartzmannhabitual and very convening figure in every edition, Francis Cerundolothe new number one in our country, Sebastian Baez, Pedro Cachin, Frederick Coria, Thomas Etcheverry, Guido Pelle, Facundo Diaz Acosta AND Camillus Hughwho secured his place yesterday, overcoming the quality.

“Juan Carlos (Ferrero), his coach and winner of the ATP in Buenos Aires in 2010) told me many things about this tournament. It’s very nice, “commented Alcaraz in the preview of his debut, which will take place on Wednesday against the blue Fabio Fognini or Serbian Laslo Djere.

Norrie, who has a special connection to our country: its coach Facundo Lugones and his physiotherapy Julian Romero they are Argentinian – he said: “The South American players play very well on this surface. I know I will have to show my best tennis to have a chance.”

At the competitive level of a competition that usually brings together many great personalities, the reigning champion, without going any further, is Casper Ruud, absent on this occasion and fourth in the ATP; and among the names that have been able to lift the trophy there are several former number 1s, such as Guga Kuerten, Carlos MoiaFerrero himself and Rafael Nadal– the different passion of the local public is added, present every year in lawn tennis.

“What I like most about the Argentine people is the love they have for tennis, as well as football and sports. Playing here is special. You feel the energy of the crowd,” said Norrie.

The Briton, holder of four titles and semi-finalist in Wimbledon last year, he will start on Thursday against Coria or Díaz Acosta. Even if he could already feel a little of that affection during the weekend, when despite the high temperatures, people remained still on the walkway that allows you to see the training fields, following his preparation and that of other great personalities. And that in the classic food court there were -as there will be throughout the week- options to cool off with a cold drink, places to rest in the shade and even places with air conditioning to beat the heat.

Today, the BALTC fields will vibrate with main draw action: starting at 1.30pm, there will be four games, the Spanish duel Pedro Martínez-Bernabé Zapata; Cachin-Thiago Monteiro; Fognini-Djere and Pella (one of the guests of the organization)-Jaume Munar.

The curtain will thus officially rise on a new edition of the Argentina Open, a tournament which, year after year, continues to be an appointment chosen by the great rackets of the circuit and continues to position itself as one of the most important stages of the South American Brick Powder Tour.

The path of the other favorites and the other Argentines

Like Alcaraz and Norrie, musetti AND Schwartzmann, the third and fourth seeds, will advance to the first round. The Italian awaits the winner of Cachín-Monteiro in the round of 16. And the Peque, which seeks to repeat the celebration of 2021, when it added its -so far- only title in Buenos Aires, will go against Martínez or Zapata.

Thiem is another of those who entered the picture thanks to aa joker card. Despite his current position in the standings (96th, after a few seasons complicated by injuries and without good results), the Austrian is one of the great attractions of the competition. He will face the Slovak in the first round Alex Molcan, 52nd in the standings. If he advances, he will cross the Portuguese João Sousa or the Peruvian John Paul Varillascoming from the qualy.

Francis Cerundolowho has been the best-placed Argentine since Monday (he climbed to 30th place and overtook Schwartzman), will start fifth favorite and will collide with the German Yannick Hanfmann, also emerged from the previous phase. If he wins, he will go to the second round against Pella or Munar.

Sebastian Baezseeded sixth and who is confident after winning his second title in Córdoba he will score first against the Serbian Dusan Lajovic, another of the announcements. In eighth notes it could be crossed with Camillus Hughwho will compete in his absolute debut in the main draw of the match with the Colombian Daniel Galan.

Finally, Thomas Etcheverry will start against the Bolivian Hugo Dellien and, if he manages to enter the next round, he will have a difficult stop against a Spaniard, Alberto Ramos Vinolaseighth seed, o Roberto Carballes Baena.