CORDOBA/STARNBERG, February 10, 2024
Two qualifiers have reached the singles final of the sixth edition of the Cordoba Open, as Luciano Darderi and Facundo Bagnis will both seek their first ATP Tour title win on Sunday.
Bagnis emerged victorious from the all-Argentine battle with Federico Coria, winning 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 57 minutes. The 33-year-old Rosario native sent down five aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points to advance to his second tour-level championship match after finishing runner-up in Santiago de Chile three years ago.
🔥 ¡Explosión de felicidad!
🎾 @facubagnis 🇦🇷 se metió en la final del #CórdobaOpen tras vencer 6-3 y 7-5 a Federico Coria.
🔝 Buscará su primer título ATP ante el ganador del duelo entre Báez y Darderi. pic.twitter.com/0S5YlH1zu5
— Córdoba Open (@CordobaOpen) February 10, 2024
“The balance I bring day by day is one of the keys. I played perfect tennis, it was my best match of the week. Winning the match motivates me for what’s to come,” said World No. 207 Bagnis.
Darderi upsets Baez
Later on Saturday, Darderi knocked out the tournament’s top seed and defending champion Sebastian Baez of Argentina 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The 21-year-old Italian converted five of his nine break-point chances to secure victory in two hours and 22 minutes.
💥 Así sentenció @Lucianodarderi_ el pase a su primera final de ATP en el #CórdobaOpen
🔝 Habrá premio doble para el ítalo argentino: desde este lunes será top 100 del ranking @atptour
— Córdoba Open (@CordobaOpen) February 11, 2024
“It was a tough match, in the end, I was cramping from nerves, it’s somewhat normal. It’s the best win of my career because Seba is a great player. I lost here last year and he ended up being the champion. I keep saying that I’m living an incredible week, just like last year I was able to achieve great results in Cordoba. A thousand things went through my head when I fell to the ground at the end. Hopefully, I can give my best tomorrow to take home the trophy,” Darderi said after reaching his first title match on the ATP Tour.
The final between two players from the qualifying will be the third in ATP Tour history. The last one occurred in Kitzbühel, Austria in 2018, when Slovak Martin Klizan defeated Uzbek Denis Istomin in straight sets. Additionally, it will be the second occasion this year that contenders for the title are two players seeking their first title: in Adelaide, Czech Jiri Lehecka defeated Briton Jack Draper.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Singles – Semifinals
(Q) Luciano Darderi (ITA) d. (1) Sebastián Báez (ARG) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
(Q) Facundo Bagnis (ARG) d. Federico Coria (ARG) 6-3. 7-5
Doubles – Semifinals
(1) Máximo González (ARG) / Andrés Molteni (ARG) d. (WC) Federico Agustín Gómez (ARG) / Renzo Olivo (ARG) por 7-5 6-4
(2) Sadio Doumbia (FRA) / Fabien Reboul (FRA) d. Boris Arias (BOL) / Federico Zeballos (BOL) 7-5 6-4
