Jarry is already thinking about the final against Zverev: “I must continue to be aggressive” | ATP Tour

Roma

Jarry is already thinking about the final against Zverev: “I must continue to be aggressive”

Seeks to be the first Chilean Masters 1000 champion since 1999

May 18, 2024

The period between May 31 and June 6, 2010 was the last with the presence of a Chilean tennis player in the Top 15 of the PIF ATP Rankings. Fernando González, the protagonist at that time. History can change if Nicolás Jarry wins the most important final of his career so far: Sunday’s against Alexander Zverev at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

If he achieves it, the No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings would ensure his debut in the Top 15 since Monday, becoming the sixth Chilean to break into this group. He would enter an exclusive club made up of his grandfather Jaime Fillol (14th, his best ranking), Hans Gildemeister (12th), Nicolás Massú (9th), González (5th) and Marcelo Ríos (1st ).

The 28-year-old right-hander has everything to believe he can achieve it. Going through a state of grace that has allowed him to beat two Top 20 like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tommy Paul in the last rounds, Jarry is clear about his game plan for Sunday: “I simply have to continue playing my game, continue being aggressive, dictate, try to move the ball with the forehand, serve well, be consistent and be mentally strong,” he said at a press conference on Friday.

He knows what awaits him: a Top 5 against whom he has a 2-4 record. The last crossing on clay was for the Chilean (in Geneva 2023). “He is a very good player. He already won here [en 2017]“he said about his next rival. “He is a tough guy, difficult to beat. He has an incredible backhand, a good serve. He is playing very good tennis right now.”

Beating him would make him the second Chilean with at least one Masters 1000 title (category created in 1990), and the first since Marcelo Ríos, who was champion in Monte Carlo 1997, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome in 1998, and Hamburg 1999. Jarry would also He would be 10 points shy of No. 14, his grandfather’s best finish in 1974.

Jaime Fillol was precisely there on Friday to support him in his victory against Paul. “One of the reasons I play tennis is because of him. I know he’s enjoying it. “It has been a surprise for him to be here and that I am playing so well so far in this tournament,” said Jarry. “This is very special for him.”

And Jarry has not lacked encouragement from the stands. Although he is far from his home, Rome has welcomed him thanks to the support of some Italians and Chileans present. Jarry hopes that on Sunday he can play at home.

“I know that Sunday is going to be the same. I hope I can receive a lot of support from many Chileans shouting so that I can have the public on my side. “It always helps.”