Martinez Overcomes Altitude, Passaro To Advance In Santiago

Pedro Martinez, ATP Tour, Santiago
Pedro Martinez (photo: Movistar Chile Open)

SANTIAGO/WASHINGTON, February 27, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

Spain’s Pedro Martinez won his lone ATP Tour title two years ago at the Movistar Chile Open in Santiago by defeating Sebastian Baez of Argentina in a tough, there-set final. On Monday, the 101st-ranked Spaniard came in looking for his first tour-level clay court win since defeating 2021 Santiago champion Cristian Garin of Chile in Rio last year.

While victories on clay have been scarce for the Spaniard, Martinez found an inviting opponent in 224th-ranked Italian wild card Francesco Passaro of Italy. Down 3-4 in the opening set on Court Jaime Fillol, Martinez went on a tear and garnered nine of the next 10 games to win the opening-round tussle, 6-4, 6-1, in an hour and 40 minutes.

Martinez won 73 percent of his first-serve points, converted five of 12 break points and outpointed Passaro 69-49 en route to his fifth career win in six matches in Santiago.

“It’s never easy to win here because of the altitude,” Martinez said in his on-court interview, speaking of the high altitude of the Chilean capital city, which is about 570 meters above sea level.

Later, in his news  conference, Martinez added: “Chile is a country that I carry in my heart. I won the tournament two years ago and I have always had good times in Santiago. Every time I come I am happy.”

Diaz Acosta remains en fuego in February

Next, Martinez will play No. 6 seed Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina, who outlasted fellow countryman Pedro Cachin, ranked 78th, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (2), in three hours and eight minutes. While points were even at 119, Cachin was able to convert just three of 18 break points — including one of five in the final set — compared to Diaz Acosta’s three of seven success rate. Diaz Acosta scored the final five points of the decisive tie break to clinch the first-round victory.

The 52nd-ranked Diaz Acosta owns an impressive 9-2 win-loss record in February after reaching his first ATP Tour quarterfinal in Cordoba, then winning his first ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires the following week. He is seeded at an ATP Tour event for the first time in career.

“I’m very happy with the win, it was a very tough match today,” Diaz Acosta said in his on-court interview. “Mentally, it was a little bit tough for me at first, but I stayed in the match. That was the key to get the win today.”

The loss was the ninth straight at tour-level for Cachin (0-6 this season, all in the first round), as he was seeking his first win since defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas at Kitzbühel last year. He fell to 1-6 against fellow Argentines.

Coria scores first win over Molcan, Jarry next 

Meanwhile, No. 88 Federico Coria of Argentina beat 135th-ranked qualifier Alex Molcan of Slovakia for the first time in three meetings, 6-1, 7-6 (1), in an hour and 35 minutes. Coria took advantage of five breaks of Molcan’s serve and outpointed his opponent 71-51.

“I am very happy I won because Alex beat me the other two times,” Coria said. “I like the conditions here in South America, in Santiago. I will enjoy this victory.”

The victory was Coria’s first in Santiago since 2021. Earlier this month, Coria reached his fifth and sixth ATP Tour semifinals of his career in Cordoba and Buenos Aires. Next, he will face No. 1 seed and defending champion Nicolas Jarry of Chile.

“I’ll have to endure Nico’s missiles,” Coria said in his post-match news conference. “The times I have played with him he has beaten me, but I was a much weaker player. Now, I am stronger and more prepared.”

Around the Movistar Chile Open

There are four home-grown players in the 28-player main draw, headed by 28-year-old No. 1 Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who is the defending champion and top seed.

Other Chileans are in the singles draw include No. 4 seed Alejandro Tabilo, who won his first tour-level title earlier this year in Auckland; 2021 champion Cristian Garin, and Tomas Varrios Vera, who made his Top 100 debut last month.

Meanwhile, there are nine Argentines in this year’s draw: Federico Coria, Facundo Diaz Acosta, Pedro Cachin, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Roman Burruchaga, Thiago Tirante, Sebastian Baez, Facundo Bagnis and Francisco Comesana.

Two lucky losers – Facundo Bagnis of Argentina and Francisco Comesana of Argentina – were added to the draw on Monday to replace Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia (illness) and Mariano Navone of Argentina (abdominal injury).

Monday’s Movistar Chile Open results

Tuesday’s Movistar Chile Open order of play

By the numbers

Four of Sebastian Baez‘s five tour-level crowns have come on clay, including Sunday’s ATP 500 title at the Rio Open. Baez, who is seeded second this week in Santiago, has a first-round bye and will play either 114th-ranked lucky loser Francisco Comesana of Argentina or No. 119 Juano Pablo Varillas of Peru.

“Quotable …”

“I feel good about defending the title, it’s not an easy task, but I’m healthy and I’m really looking forward to it. You have to go game by game and give your best in each one to come out victorious.”

— World No. 22 Nicolas Jarry of Chile, who is the defending champion and this year’s top seed, during his pre-tournament news conference Sunday.

Search

Brigitte Urban
Tennis photographer
camera lens

International Blogs

Dietmar Kaspar

Bandecchi siegt im Final-Thriller gegen Snigur bei den THERME ERDING OPEN

November 14, 2024

Robert Frank

TCG Charity Cup bringt 13.000 Euro für den guten Zweck

October 16, 2024

Florian Heer

Apostolos Tsitsipas: “Coaching ist etwas Persönliches!”

September 4, 2024

Podcast

Categories