The stories of the Argentina Open finalists: powder specialist Nico Jarry and Facundo Díaz Acosta faced with the opportunity of a lifetime

How many tennis fans would have highlighted the Chilean Nicholas Jarry and to the Argentine Facundo Diaz Acosta like the protagonists of the final of Argentina Open 2024? When they show up at the Guillermo Vilas court of Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis this Sunday starting at 4pm (Televisa TyC Sports), they will have several reasons why lifting the trophy means something important in their careers on the professional ATP circuit.

This Saturday almost six thousand people filled the stands and the majority hoped to witness a new victory Carlos Alcaraz, number two in the world, reigning champion and great favorite of the people. But he ended up celebrating a minority dressed in red shirts, who occupied some corners of the stadium and made themselves heard in the night in Buenos Aires. A minority that was delirious about the triumph of Nicholas Jarry.

The Chilean delivered the big blow, authoritatively beating the Spaniard 7-6 (7-2) and 6-3 and reaching the final of the Buenos Aires tournament for the first time. Until this week he had only played in the main draw twice and had never made it past his debut.

The triumph of the number 21 in the ranking was surprising. But only up to a certain point. Because Alcaraz was unable to show off the best version of him, the unbeatable one that led him to become the youngest number 1 in history and to be the owner, at just 20 years old, of two Slams. Furthermore, he did not do so in any of the three matches he played in the tournament.

And because Jarry had an impeccable performance, with his unstoppable serve and powerful drive as his banners, and defeated with authority an opponent who was too unpredictable and vulnerable. The Santiago-born man also showed great mental strength to never lose focus. Not even when the Murcian managed to bring out the magic from his racket (there were moments like that, but not many). Not even when he didn’t know how to take advantage of his opportunities. Not even when people made him feel more like a visitor than ever.

“I played a great match. I’m happy with how I resolved the situation against a very difficult opponent like Carlitos. I handled the situations very well and ended up playing aggressive tennis. It was my best match of the tournament in terms of service, which is necessary against a rival like him,” analyzed the Chilean.

At 28 years old, Jarry is experiencing the best moment of his second career, the one that began at the end of 2020, after having served an almost one-year disqualification for a positive doping test, despite having demonstrated that he had ingested prohibited substances. substance that made him involuntarily fail the test. Those eleven months away from the courts left him unranked and forced him to start over.

Undeterred, he slowly rebuilt his career and had a great season last year. He declared himself champion in Santiago and Geneva, where he had the pleasure of beating Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, then fourth in the standings, in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev and in the final against Grigor Dimitrov. And it entered the top 20 for the first time.

In January he reached his best ranking (18th place) and this week, as third favorite at the ATP in Buenos Aires, he had the pleasure of beating two Grand Slam champions in a few days. Because in the round of 16 he beat Stan Wawrinka and, after having benefited from abandonment due to injury Tomas Etcheverry In the quarterfinals they beat Alcaraz in the semifinals and take another step towards their fourth title (in 2019 they won Bastad).

“I had to face extraordinary players this week. But all tournaments are difficult, there are great players everywhere. And to be champion, you have to beat them all”commented the Chilean.

Jarry does not expect an easy duel against the Buenos Aires native, who will make his debut in the ATP Finals.

“Facu is playing very well and is very solid mentally. I know the work he does off the court. Since we played years ago in the challengers I knew he would reach this level. I hope I can play the same tennis in the final that I showed these days, being aggressive, serving well and putting a lot of pressure.”he mused.

And he closed: “This is a very special historic tournament. Playing the final is very nice. Great players have been champions. I hope I can join them.”.

Díaz Acosta, in an unforgettable week

Last February 9th Facundo Diaz Acosta He beat Thiago Tirante in three sets in Córdoba and qualified for the first time in his career to the quarterfinals of an ATP tournament. Exactly one week later, in Buenos Aires, he beat Dusan Lajovic in two sets and reached his first semi-final. And this Saturday he overwhelmed Federico Coria 6-2, 6-3 to reach his first final. Its race takes place at high speed.

“I knew there would be a lot of courage and I had to be patient, calm and not despair if I received an easy ball or if I made a mistake. I concentrated on that, I managed my nerves well and now I’m in the final”, he analyzed in the note on the pitch after one of his most sensational victories.

Now he will face the Chilean Nicola Jarry, who provided the big surprise of the tournament by eliminating Carlos Alcaraz, to try to win the crown of Argentina Openan ATP title, also for the first time. These are the first times for Díaz Acosta, which next Monday will be able to enjoy its best historical ranking (at least 69th).

He showed promise in 2018, when he won two medals (gold in doubles and silver in singles) at the Youth Olympic Games which were also held in Buenos Aires lawn tennis, and in 2024 he makes the leap onto the big tennis scene at the age of 23. A dream come true.

He was born on December 15, 2000 and began playing tennis as a child, but it was at the age of 13 that he decided to see the sport as more than just entertainment. At that age he left Club Atlético Comercio of Núñez and approached the Academy of Mariano Hood and Mariano Monachesi, your current one trainer, which operates in the Naval High School club.

They both accompanied him during his training and witnessed Facu’s first ATP point, such a symbolic milestone for all tennis players. He joined him in 2017 Future F5 developed in the Rincón Club de Campo de Neuquén. Today Hood works with Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, while Juan Manuel Tiscornia, another Academy coach, has joined Díaz Acosta’s team, which he’s going through his best time after many years of hard work.

And even going through some difficult ones. His career was standby in 2020, when the pandemic forced him to remain closed for months in his home in La Lucila and he found no better alternative than to train by hitting the ball against a mattress placed against the wall. At the time he was 470th in the world.

“Four years have passed since the mattress and the truth is that I try not to remember those moments too much because they were really complicated”he said in a press conference after the quarter-final victory against Sebastián Báez.

Today the reality is different, but he doesn’t forget what he went through. “The first thing that came to mind when I won was all the things me and my team went through to get here. And doing it at home is even more special. “It’s a mix of emotions.” It’s open.

Leaning on his guidethe great weapon he has in his game, left Coria no choice and now he will have to face another whose main virtue is the right as Nicholas Jarry go in search of glory. It will be from 4pm and between to Court Guillermo Vilas who will vibrate to the rhythm of the rivalry between Argentina and Chile. There will be a football atmosphere at Lawn Tennis. Guaranteed show.