Seeds sink as Argentines rule in Sweden

Second seed Andrey Rublev and No. 5 Pablo Carreno Busta both came up short in Saturday semi-finals at the ATP Bastad event, with each losing to Argentine opponents.

Rublev, playing his first event since being banned from Wimbledon due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was run down 6-2, 6-4 by Sebastian Baez.

Spain’s PCB went out to Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 in 77 minutes on the Swedish clay.

The pair of South American finalists will be meeting for the first time at the Tour level as Baez tries for his second title of the season after breaking through for his first in May at Estoril.

Ring-rusty Rublev lost serve four times as he fell to Baez.

“I think I played better than yesterday,” the winner  said a day after defeating Dominic Thiem here “I’m happy to win and continue in the tournament.”

He said that Sunday’s title match against his compatriot will be a big test. “It will be a tough match, we’ve  known each other for many years.

“But I have to do the best I can. This is a new tournament, a new final, another week. 

“I’m happy to be in the final and of course, I want more.”

No. 39 Cerundolo followed up his knockout of top seeded holder Casper Ruud in the second round with his move into the final.

“I played one of the best matches in my career today,” he said. “Everything went well. 

“I’m feeling so comfortable and playing with so much confidence – it’s amazing to be playing like this. 

“Hopefully I can keep going and maintain my level or improve it.

“It’s fantastic [to be in another final]. Last year I was in the final at home in Buenos Aires and I lost pretty badly (to Diego Schwartzman).”

Cerundolo came up the winner as he played his third semi-final of 2022 following losses at this stage in Rio de Janeiro in February and Miami a month later.

The Argentine broke his Spanish opponent four times on the way to the win, which lifts his record this season to 16-11.