Baez tops Andrey Rublev to set all-Argentinian final with Francisco Cerundolo in Bastad

Two Argentinians will play for the title at the Nordea Open in Bastad, as Sebastian Baez, the No 8 seed, upset Russian Andrey Rublev, the second seed, 6-2, 6-4 for his biggest career win on Saturday to reach the final.

Baez, ranked No 34, will play Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo next. He had never defeated a top-10 player in three previous attempts, but the 21-year-old produced a dominant performance on a day of upsets for the Argentinians.

Baez broke Rublev’s serve four times and saved two of three break points in his first career meeting with the 24-year-old.

World No 8 Rublev drops to 31-10 with the loss – he entered the contest with a 10-0 record in ATP 250 matches.

Francisco Cerundolo stops Carreno Busta

Earlier on Saturday Francisco Cerundolo got the ball rolling for Argentina as he upset fifth-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2 for his third top-20 win of 2022.

23-year-old Cerundolo has had a banner week by the Swedish seaside. In the second round he upset top-seeded and fifth-ranked Casper Ruud 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 for his first top-10 win.

Cerundolo will bid for his first ATP title in his second ATP final. He fell to compatriot Diego Schwartzman in the Buenos Aires final last year.

“Last year I was in the final at home in Buenos Aires and I lost pretty badly, so I hope tomorrow I can have a better match and hopefully take my first title home,” he said.

Baez won the Estoril title earlier this season, and is playing in his third career final. The 21-year-old improved to 25-16 on the season with his win, and 21-9 on hard courts.

Baez and Cerundolo have never met at the ATP level, but Baez does own the 2-1 head-to-head edge across the challengers and futures, according to Tennis Abstract.

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