Argentine Guido Pella on Saturday advanced to his fourth ATP Tour final (0-3), defeating Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 at the Cordoba Open.
A home favourite is guaranteed to win the first edition of the tournament, as Pella’s compatriot, Juan Ignacio Londero, continued his dream run by reaching the championship match earlier in the day.
Pella has now made an ATP Tour final in four consecutive years. His first title match ironically came against Cuevas in Rio de Janeiro three years ago. That clash was also a three-setter.
Pella took advantage of a tiring Cuevas, using his heavy left-handed forehand to control play and keep the Uruguayan deep in the court. Earlier Saturday, Cuevas won his rain-delayed quarter-final against Aljaz Bedene. But after winning the second set against Pella, he was unable to take the Argentine out of rhythm.
Pella’s opponent in the final, Londero, arrived in Cordoba without a tour-level win. But he defeated compatriot Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-0 in exactly one hour to make his maiden ATP Tour final.
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Londero had won just one of his seven sets in his three previous tour-level matches before this week. But the 25-year-old has triumphed in all four of his Cordoba matches without losing a set. Londero has saved 16 of the 17 break points he has faced on the Argentine red clay.
Against Delbonis, Londero did not face break point. The World No. 112, who will crack the Top 100 for the first time on Monday, won 58 per cent of his return points. Pella has won all three of his matches against Londero, none of which came at tour-level.
Did You Know?
Londero captured his first two ATP Challenger Tour trophies last season, emerging victorious in Mexico City in April and Marburg in July.
Source: ATP World Tour
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