Báez reached the ATP quarterfinals for the third time this season. Photo EFE/EPA/TIAGO PETINGA
Sebastián Báez continues to thrive in his career. One of the great exponents of the new generation of Argentine tennis scored a great victory this Thursday against Marin Cilic, former world number three and champion of the 2014 US Open, and advanced to the quarterfinals of Estoril ATP 250. The Buenos Aires native, 59th in the ranking, made an impressive comeback after losing the first set almost unopposed, winning 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 against Croatian, 23rd in the ranking, and one step away to capture. in the top 50 for the first time.
Cilic, the third favorite in the competition, dominated the opening set at his will, which he took thanks to two breaks in just 24 minutes of play. It seems that European power will be too much for Báez, who played in that opening set too late. But the Argentine was fully into the game in the second chapter and, in a very fast tennis match, he started to set the pace.
Sebastian, 21 years old, ahead of 5-0 in the second settake an irrevocable advantage for his rival, who, agitated, will not find a way to prevent the Buenos Aires player or return to playing level from the beginning.
In the third set, Báez had to work harder, but hit at the most appropriate moment. Because he got a break in the ninth game, to continue at 5-4and then sealed the win with his serve.
Thus, the Argentine entered the top eight of an ATP circuit tournament for the third time in his short career, all on clay. It reached that stage for the first time at the beginning of last February, when Cordovawhere he said goodbye to the Chilean Alexander Tabilo and failed to advance to the semis. And again a few weeks later, when he reached the final in Santiago de Chilethe first of his career, which he defeated the Spaniards Peter Martinez.
In Estoril he made his debut with a solid 6-1 and 6-3 against the Portuguese Joao Sousa, one of the guests of the organization. And now he’s got the second best win of his career when it comes to his opponent’s ranking. In the tournament at Cordovan he won the round of 16 fights Christian Garin (18 °).
Baez will enter the top 50 if he wins his next match against Estoril. Photo EFE/EPA/TIAGO PETINGA
The clash against Cilic also brought him closer to the top 50. In the live rankings, which are updated with the results each day, Báez is already 54th and he just needs to win his next game to get a place in that elite group. .
His rival in the quarterfinals – this Friday, around 11 a.m. in our country – is the French Richard Gasquetformerly top 10 and now located in the 80th step of the classification, coming from beating Bolivian Hugo Dellien 7-6 (7-5) and 6-2, which came from the classification.
Source: Clarin
