The dream week of Sebastián Báez (78th) at the ATP 250 in Santiago could not end in the best way. Although he made merits to keep the crown, he was unable to close it and ended up falling to Pedro Martínez (72nd) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. The nerves, which led to some inaccuracies, the change in tactics of his rival and some points lost at key moments changed the process of the match.
Sebastián Báez will be the third Argentine racket in the ranking starting next week. (EFE)
Sport is full of stories like these. Many times it happened that whoever was down in the result began to play better and gradually reversed the development of the game. Tennis players always repeat it: one thing is to be up after having achieved the advantage and the other, very different, is to be able to close the result in your favor. And Martínez, lost for lost, showed that he has plenty of tennis to continue with his gradual progress.
During the first set, Báez found depth in his shots, was attentive in the return and was active with his legs to propel himself and, in this way, achieve more power. In addition, he struck at just the right moments, planted with his right hand and managed to save some break chances. And during the beginning of the second set, everything seemed to continue in the same vein: he caused problems for Martínez from the back of the court, varied with the drops and even took an important 3-2 lead and served.
However, the tension appeared. Predictable, without a doubt, because it was his first final at the ATP level. Lots of things at stake. Many sensations that passed every time through the head. More exposure, possible new sponsors, ranking growth and new tournaments to play in the future. In that sense, game winners became unforced errors. The balls that touched the line went a few meters outside. And, thus, the procedure was modified in favor of the Spaniard, who won four of five games to stretch the definition to the third.
