ATP Rio: Sebastian Baez defends title, receives trophy from del Potro

Sebastian Baez defended the ATP 500 title in Rio de Janeiro. The Argentine prolonged his profitable streak on the prestigious clay-court occasion following a 6-2, 6-3 conquer Alexandre Muller within the title conflict. 

The Argentine sealed the deal in an hour and 26 minutes, including the seventh ATP title to his identify and receiving a trophy from Juan Martin den Potro. Sebastian outplayed Alexandre on serve and return, taming his strokes properly and transferring excessive in fashion. 

Baez collected 14 factors greater than his rival. He saved 4 of 5 break factors and mounted the strain on the opposite aspect. The Frenchman couldn’t comply with that tempo. Muller dropped virtually half of the factors in his video games and suffered 5 breaks from 12 probabilities supplied to his opponent.

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Sebastian hit 26 winners and 23 unforced errors. Muller landed extra service winners however spoiled that with a mediocre 13-26 ratio from the sector. The Argentine managed the tempo from the baseline and held every little thing in his arms. Alexandre skilled a setback within the third sport of the duel. 

Sebastian Baez, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He wasted two sport factors and supplied his rival two break probabilities. Baez transformed the second when his rival positioned a backhand extensive, delivering a break and transferring in entrance. The defending champion needed to dig deep on serve within the fourth sport. 

Sebastian denied three break factors and held with a strong serve to cement the break and transfer 3-1 in entrance. Muller struggled behind the preliminary shot in sport 5. The Frenchman denied three break factors with winners and held to stay in contact. 

Alexandre Muller & Sebastian Baez, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The Argentine performed in opposition to a break level within the sixth sport and saved it with a well-constructed assault and a smash winner on the internet. The higher-ranked participant held and made his third consecutive push on the return within the subsequent one. 

Like within the third sport, Muller squandered a 40-15 lead and three sport factors. Baez created a break probability and landed a forehand down the road winner for his second break and a 5-2 benefit. The Argentine served for the set in sport eight. 

Sebastian Baez, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He held at love after a backhand crosscourt winner on the internet, forging a 6-2 lead after 47 minutes. The second set was extra fluid, providing 4 breaks however just one deuce. They held at love within the first two video games earlier than Alexandre confronted points at 1-1. 

The Frenchman saved two break factors earlier than spraying a forehand error on the third and falling 2-1 behind. Sebastian performed his worst service sport of the match within the subsequent one, dropping serve at love after Muller’s highly effective return and bringing his opponent again to 2-2. 

Alexandre Muller, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot

 

They produced positive holds in video games 5 and 6, staying neck and neck at 3-3. The defending champion grabbed a pivotal break within the seventh sport when his rival missed a backhand. Baez confirmed the break with a service winner in sport eight. 

Thus, he moved 5-3 up and stored the strain on the opposite aspect. The Argentine stepped in on the return in sport 9 and painted a return winner for 2 match factors. He transformed the second with a compelled error, celebrating the title protection and his seventh ATP trophy.