Argentina Open, second day: marathon victory for Fede Coria and debut for Schwartzman, on a day full of Argentinians

Federico Coria I sweated my shirt under the sun on a Tuesday with clear but fairly cool skies Lawn tennis in Buenos Aires and fought for almost three hours, but managed to secure his passage to the round of 16 Argentina Open 2024. In the match that opened the action on central court, the player from Rosario, 106th in the rankings and entered into the draw thanks to a special exemption, defeated the tough Austrians 7-5, 4-6 and 7-5 Sebastiano Ofner38th, and celebrated it in a special way.

When his victory was confirmed, after two hours and 58 minutes of play, he raised his fist and pointed to one of the stadium’s elbows. And a few minutes later, he approached and threw his bracelets and some balls to a group of children who had gathered in that area.

“I want to thank those guys who never stopped encouraging me. When I was down, when I had difficulties in the game, I always heard them cheer. They reminded me of when I was so young and dreamed of being here on the pitch”, he counted.

And he added: “The help of the people is very important to achieve this victory. I am very happy to have won in the first round because it is very nice to play this tournament again. I didn’t want to go fast because I wait all year to play in home and I want to enjoy it as much as possible.

Coria, who reached the semi-finals of Cordoba openthey will now have a difficult challenge, because they will face the English for a place in the quarter-finals Cameron Norriesecond favourite.

Then on the main stage, Diego Schwartzmannone of the organization’s guests, will face the Colombian Daniele Galancoming from the previous phase.

He Not much116th in the standings, he had a weak start to the season: he failed to qualify for Brisbane and Australian Open and fell last week on debut in Cordoba. And he will try to reverse that negative streak in a tournament in which he has a good history (he was champion in 2021) and always feels very comfortable with him.

In phase 2, Camilo Ugo Carabelli faces the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas for passage to the round of 16 and a special prize: the winner will then face the Spaniard Carlos Alcarazthe top favorite and reigning champion.

Ugo Carabelli, 134th in the standings, entered the qualifying picture after beating the Spaniard Jaume Munar71st, in the first round and the Bolivian Hugo Dellien, 135°, in the second. The 24-year-old from Buenos Aires was crowned champion at the end of January in the Piracicaba’s challengerBrazil, and wants to enter the top 16 of the Buenos Aires competition for the second consecutive year.

Two other Argentines will also be present during the rest of the day. Sebastiano Baezfifth favourite, will clash in the last corner of the Guillermo Vilas field – not before 8.30 pm – with the Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles78th in the rankings.

And on court 2, not before 5.30 pm, Mariano Navonealso emerging from the rankings, he will have a difficult match against the Italian (born in Villa Gesell) Luciano Darderiwho has just won his first title ATP of Cordoba.

The first winner of the day was the Chilean Alessandro Tabilo54th, who defeated the German 6-1 and 6-3 Yannick Hanfmann56th, and awaits the French in the round of 16 Arthur Philseighth seed, i.e. the Serbian Dusan Lajovic.