Argentina Open, first day: farewell to a legend and Díaz Acosta has the first ticket to the round of 16

The main draw closes with a victory for Argentina Argentina Open 2024. After the delay in the start of the day caused by rain, Facundo Diaz Acosta He became the first player to qualify for the round of 16, beating the German 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). Daniele Altmaier53rd in the world.

The native of Buenos Aires, 87th in the ranking and invited by the organization, had just reached the quarterfinals of an ATP for the first time last week in Córdoba and extended his great moment in his debut in the Buenos Aires competition.

Díaz Acosta took two hours and five minutes to overcome a rival just two years older (25 against 23), but with much more professional experience than him.

“The wait to get on the pitch got complicated. It seemed like the sky was falling and I thought I would play around 5pm. Suddenly, around two o’clock, it stopped and then the courts started up again “I had a lot of anxiety and I really want to play here. These are things that if you don’t manage them well, they can cost you,” explained the man who won the Pan American gold last year in Santiago and has one foot in the Paris Olympic Games.

Now he will clash with another Argentine, Francisco Cerúndolo22nd in the world and fourth favorite.

“With Fran We know each other a lot, we play together many times. I remember a Challenger in Chile where he gave me a terrible beating. He’s in a great moment. This year too I started very well. They left separately, two Argentines, in Buenos Aires. We both want to win. Whoever has the most brains and the most tennis skills will definitely win,” she anticipated.

What he couldn’t celebrate on his debut in the Buenos Aires competition was Marin Cilic. The Croatian, who also entered thanks to an invitation, was eliminated by the Serbian Laslo Djereseventh seed, who beat him 4-6, 6-3 and 6-0.

“In the first set I felt very good, but then my body stopped responding. It was very nice to play here and make myself recognized by the public”, commented Cilic, former fourth in the ranking and champion of US Open 2014.

And he added: “There are many good players in Argentina, so I really appreciate the invitation that the tournament gave me. Unfortunately I couldn’t come in 2018 (Editor’s note: He was dropped at the last minute due to injury) and I’m glad I did it now. “I hope to be able to return in 2025.”

On a cool night with quite a bit of wind – but no rain, at least for now -, Pedro Cachin74th in the rankings, he faces the Swiss Stan Wawrinka, 60th and winner of three Grand Slam tournaments. And at the end of the day, Tomas Etcheverrysixth seed, will clash with the Spaniards Roberto Carballes Baena.