Holger Rune, Sebastian Baez receive wildcards into Buenos Aires



by DZEVAD MESIC

Holger Rune, Sebastian Baez receive wildcards into Buenos Aires

Rising Danish star Holger Rune and Argentina's Sebastian Baez have joined Juan Martin del Potro as Buenos Aires wildcard recipients, per Michal Samulski.

Rune, 18, is set to make his second appearance on the clay courts of Buenos AIres.

Rune, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 97 in the world, debuted at the Buenos Aires event last year. Rune didn't enjoy an impressive debut in Buenos Aires, having lost in the first round to Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Rune competed well against an experienced clay court specialist Ramos-Vinolas but the Spanard recovered from a set down to beat the Dane 2-6 6-4 6-3. On the other side, 21-year-old Baez is set to make his main draw debut in Buenos Aires.

Baez, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 77 in the world, tried to earn a main draw spot in Buenos Aires last year but failed in his attempt. Last year, Baez beat Alejandro Tabilo in his Buenos Aires qualifying opener, before losing to Jaume Munar in the qualifying final round.

Rune played in Cordoba this week

Rune played his first clay tournament of the season this week in Cordoba. Unfortunately for the Dane, he didn't enjoy a strong week as he was beaten in the first round by Roberto Carballes Baena.

Carballes Baena, ranked at No. 71 in the world, cruised past Rune 6-2 6-4 in the Cordoba first round. Carballes Baena saved a break point in the second game of the match before earning the first break of the match in the third game.

Carballes Baena claimed his second break in the seventh game and served out for the opener in the seventh game. Rune dropped his serve in the opening game of the second set but broke back Carballes Baena in the following game.

However, it didn't take too long for Carballes Baena to break Rune again as he broke the Dane in the third game. Carballes Baena claimed his fifth break of the match in the seventh game but Rune got one break back in the eighth game.

However, Carballes Baena kept his focus as he served out for the match in the 10th game. It remain to be seen how far can Rune go in Buenos Aires.

Holger Rune Sebastian Baez