Navone, Baez to meet in Rio Open final
25-Feb-2024 04:47 PM 14662
Rio De Janeiro, Feb 25 (Reporter) Argentine qualifier Mariano Navone advanced to his first ATP final on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over defending champion Cameron Norrie. The 22-year-old won 67 percent of his first service points and converted five of 18 break points against the British second seed, prevailing in just under two hours on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro. He will meet compatriot Sebastian Baez in Sunday's final after the fifth seed swept aside fellow Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-0. "Having two finalists here speaks volumes for where Argentine tennis is right now," Navone, who is ranked 113th in the world, told a news conference after the match. "Nothing comes easily at this level so obviously the final will be a special match. Both of us will be doing all we can to win it." It will be the first all-Argentine final in the history of the ATP 500 event. Baez, who needed just an hour and 24 minutes to dispose of fourth seed Cerundolo, will be vying for his fifth career title and his first in the ATP 500 category. "I'm feeling good as I always do when I come to Rio," said Baez, who is currently 30th in the world rankings. "When I'm not playing against a Brazilian I feel like a local. "I'm delighted to be in my first final [at this level]. It's been a good week and I'm just happy to have the chance to play in another match," the 23-year-old added...////...
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