Schwartzman Sets All-Argentine Final In Buenos Aires

The Argentina Open will crown a home-grown champion for the first time in 13 years after top seed Diego Schwartzman cruised past Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-4 in the semi-finals on Saturday. 

The Buenos Aires native will face countryman Francisco Cerundolo as he seeks his first ATP Tour title on home soil. Into his third final in Argentina, Schwartzman will aim to improve on previous runner-up finishes at Buenos Aires in 2019 and Cordoba in 2020.

Schwartzman was nearly untouchable in a shut-out opening set against third seed Kecmanovic, who recently added Argentine great David Nalbandian to his coaching team. Schwartzman surrendered just nine points and won 91 per cent of his first serve points (10/11) in the first set, and his aggressive returns kept Kecmanovic under constant pressure.

The Serbian had more chances in the second set, and he fought to extend his stay in the match after Schwartzman took the lead at 3-2. Kecmanovic saved four break points – including a pair of match points at 5-3 – but Schwartzman stayed solid and never dropped serve as he sealed his return to the Buenos Aires final.

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Schwartzman has yet to drop a set this week in his hometown. The World No. 9 in the FedEx ATP Rankings served up four aces and converted four of his 12 break points against Kecmanovic en route to victory in an hour and 22 minutes.

Did You Know… Despite having at least one Argentine semi-finalist since 2017, there had not been a home champion in Buenos Aires since 2008 when Nalbandian defeated countryman Jose Acasuso.