'Why Not Me?' Baez Surges To Estoril Final

Throughout the week, Sebastian Baez has written “Why not me?” on the television camera’s lens after his wins at the Millennium Estoril Open. The positivity has worked, as the Argentine is now one victory from claiming his first ATP Tour title.

Baez surged past defending champion Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-0 on Saturday to reach his second tour-level final. The Argentine will play a fellow Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals alumnus, Sebastian Korda or Frances Tiafoe, for the title.

The 21-year-old has needed three sets in three of his four matches this week at the Portuguese ATP 250, but has looked strong when it has mattered most. Baez won a jaw-dropping 75 per cent of his return points against Spanish veteran Ramos-Vinolas in the deciding set to triumph after two hours and 35 minutes.

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The Argentine, who is at a career-high No. 59 in the ATP Rankings, held match point at 6/5 and 7/6 in the second-set tie-break. On his first chance, he missed a return. On his second, this time serving, he ripped an aggressive inside-out forehand wide.

But that misstep did not come back to haunt Baez. Although Ramos-Vinolas forced a decider, he was unable to maintain his level in the third set. Baez also defeated Ramos-Vinolas in this year’s Santiago semi-finals before losing to Pedro Martinez in the final.