Brilliant Baez beats Muller, goes back-to-back at Rio Open

Sebastian Baez became the first two-time winner of the Rio Open when he defeated Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-3 in Sunday afternoon’s final. Baez converted five of seven break points and was broken only once while triumphing in one hour and 26 minutes.

The defending champion saved three break points to consolidate an early lead at 2-1 in the opening set and thereafter seemed to be in complete control. He broke Muller again for 5-2 before serving it out with ease.

Muller mounted a brief charge by breaking back at love for 2-2 in the second, but the Frenchman’s momentum was short-lived. It was all but over when Baez seized a break to lead 4-3. Rio de Janeiro’s No. 5 seed broke again for good measure at 5-3 to clinch victory in style.

“I’m so proud; so proud for all the week,” Baez assured. “(I’m) so happy.”

The Argentine is now 7-2 lifetime in ATP finals. He has won six in a row dating back to the start of 2023.

“I’m trying to give my best [on] every point,” Baez said of his success in title matches. “Finals are different, because you want to win the tournament, the title, the trophy. But I’m trying to be focused on the game; that is the most difficult part of the finals. I think the support from my coaches, from my team is so important for me. That helped me a lot.”

Muller’s run to his third ATP final was impressive. The world No 60 upset Buenos Aires champion Joao Fonseca and then knocked off three Argentines in a row — Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Francisco Cerundolo and Francisco Comesana. Requiring two hours and 55 minutes in a three-set semi-final battle with Comesana on Saturday night appeared to have left Muller a bit sapped of energy for the championship match.

Muller came within one win of his second title, having previously lifted the trophy last month in Hong Kong.

“It was my first time here in South America and I have to say thank you guys, you were amazing with me all the week,” the 28-year-old told the crowd during the trophy ceremony. “I played only only night session all week and you guys were amazing supporting the players.”

Baez now goes to Santiago, where he is also the defending champion. Muller will play on the hard courts of Acapulco next week.

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