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Sebastian Baez was thrilled with the performance he delivered versus Andrey Rublev as he is looking forward to clashing Francisco Carundolo in the Bastad final. In the Bastad semifinal, Baez upset second-seeded Rublev 6-2 6-4.
On Friday, Baez overcame 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem in three sets. After clinching one of the biggest wins of his career on Friday, Baez earned another notable win the following day. “I think I played better than yesterday,” Baez said after beating Rublev, per the ATP website.
“I am happy to win and continue in the tournament”.
Baez dismantled Rublev
Baez made a good start to the match, breaking Rublev in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead. It didn't take long for Baez to earn his second break as he broke Rublev again in the eighth game, when the Russian was serving to stay in the first set.
After easily winning the first set, Baez started the second set with an early 3-0 lead. Down by a set and a break, Rublev refused to quit and he broke back Baez in the seventh game. Unfortunately for Rublev, his struggles on the service continued as he got broken again in the 10th game, when he was serving to stay in the match.
In the final, Baez faces Cerundolo, who saw off Pablo Carreno Busta in the Bastad semifinal. “I think it will be a tough match, because we have known each other for many years,” Baez said of facing Cerundolo.
“But I have to do the best I can. This is a new tournament, a new final, another week. So, I am happy to stay in the final and of course, I want more”. Baez and Cerundolo will be going head-to-head for the first time on the main level. Cerundolo defeated Baez at a Futures event in 2018, while Baez beat Cerundolo twice on the Challenger level last year.