Francisco Cerúndo is strong in South America and signs the semis in Santiago | ATP Tour

2025

Closing him stops his friend Etcheverry and signs the semis in Santiago

The tournament has three Argentine semifinalists

February 28, 2025

Francisco Cerú and Tomás Etcheverry have been competing together for more than fifteen years, they first measured in a Under10 tournament in Argentina and have traveled and rising simultaneously on the tour. Therefore, every time they have to cross the circuit, it is usually almost a chess game, knowing each movement at the end.

This time, closing it, it was imposed by a worker 4-6, 6-3 and 7-5 after two hours and 53 minutes of play against Etcheverry to reach its semifinal No. 13 in the circuit and the fifth in South America in the Movistar Chile Open. In addition, the Argentine is just the second first series that arrives in the semifinals in Santiago after the local Garín in 2021 (he was champion).

“Today has been a very hard game,” said Cerundolo, who achieved 31 winning shots, 21 of them right. “Tomy is an incredible player, an incredible fighter, a friend … is one of my best friends in the tour. It is very difficult to play against him, that’s why we both play very nervous today. We have played well, but I think we were both tense, nervous. I think we have played a very good and matched game. ”

Ceruing it created 14 break opportunities, turning 11, including a crucial break in 5-5 on the decisive set, allowing player No. 26 in the PIF ATP Rankings to close the victory after two hours and 54 minutes in his first win in the lexus ATP Head2head in three attempts before his compatriot. Etcheverry, fifth head of series, defeated Cerundolo in Santiago two years ago, on the way to the final. In the US Open last year, Etcheverry overcame Cerundolo in five sets.

“It is always difficult to lose the first set of a game, but I focused on continuing to believe, to continue fighting, point to point. I started a little passive and then I did better and I am happy to win, ”he said chering it.

Meanwhile, his next opponent will be the Serbian Laslo Djere, who reached his semifinals No. 21 in his career at the Tour (18 on whipped land) after beating Jaime Faria by 7-6 (5), 4-6 and 6-4 after a battle of two hours and 42 minutes of play. Also, the Serbian secured his return to Top100 at the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

In the other duel of Argentines of the day, Camilo Ugo Carabelli beat Federico Coria 6-4 and 6-3. The Buenos Aires ratified his good moment, with 14 wins in his last 19 games and reached his second consecutive semifinal ATP Tour after Rio de Janeiro. With 21 winning shots, 14 of them with the right, Ugo had one more march in his game that Coria and took a difficult game forward.

Now, Ugo Carabelli will have another Argentines duel before his compatriot Sebastián Báez who went to Damir Dzumhur 6-4 and 6-4 to reach his second consecutive semifinal in Santiago.

Báez thus adds seven consecutive victories for the Bicampeón de Río and six in a row in Santiago. The Argentine is still in the race and is only two new signing triumphs a second consecutive double Rio-Santiago.