The Argentina Open in Buenos Aires has been in the ATP calendar since 2001, with the finest clay-courters sharing a trophy 24 times. Naturally, the South Americans and the Spaniards have dominated the event, with two names standing out. Rafael Nadal and Facundo Diaz Acosta are the only left-handed winners in Buenos Aires, with the Argentine joining the king of clay on the exclusive list last week. Nadal’s only Buenos Aires title came in 2015 over his good friend Juan Monaco. Rafa celebrated his first ATP title in nine months after a troubled period due to a wrist injury, lifting his 65th ATP trophy and leaving Pete Sampras at 64.
Rafael Nadal, Rio 2015© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Nadal kicked off the action against world no. 146 Facundo Arguello, earning a 6-4, 6-0 triumph in 65 minutes following a flawless performance in the second set. Rafa met another Argentine in the quarter-final and sailed into the last four with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Facundo Bagnis in just over an hour. The Spaniard dropped nine points in his games and notched five breaks to control the pace and remain on the title course. Rafa had to work harder against Carlos Berlocq, staying on the court for almost two hours in a 7-6, 6-2 triumph. Carlos had a massive chance to claim the opener and make things more interesting, forging a 6-1 advantage in the tie break before Rafa bounced back and stole it.
Nadal left his opponent behind in the second set and arranged the title clash against his great friend and doubles partner Juan Monaco. Nadal produced a 6-4, 6-1 triumph in an hour and 27 minutes, celebrating his first ATP title since Roland Garros last year. Monaco sprayed almost 30 unforced errors, staying in touch in the opening nine games before losing ground, settling for the runner-up spot. Nadal never faced a break point, keeping the pressure on the other side and sealing the deal in style for a much-needed title. The rain did not affect Rafa’s strokes, firing 18 winners and 15 unforced errors and controlling the pace. Juan denied a break point in the first game of the match and served well in the next two to open a 3-2 advantage.
Rafael Nadal, Rio 2015© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Rafael Nadal and Facundo Diaz Acosta are the left-handed Buenos Aires champions.
The Argentine netted a backhand in the seventh game, losing serve and falling 4-3 behind. Nadal served for the opener at 5-4 and held at 15 after the rival’s loose backhand, gathering a boost ahead of the second set. The home player lost serve in the first game after a wayward drop shot, marking the beginning of his end. Monaco hit another backhand error in the third game, losing serve again and sending Nadal closer to the finish line. Rafa moved 5-1 in front with a hold at 15 and delivered another break a few minutes later, celebrating his 65th ATP title and the 46th on clay. Nine years later, a left-handed Facundo Diaz Acosta claimed his first ATP title in Buenos Aires at 23.
Facundo Diaz Acosta, Buenos Aires 2024© Marcelo Endelli / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Facundo received a wild card and used it with both hands, beating five rivals in straight sets and celebrating his career-best result at his tenth ATP tournament. Diaz Acosta faced Nicolas Jarry in the final and beat him 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 44 minutes, becoming the second left-handed champion at this event. The home player performed better behind the second serve and had the upper hand in the crucial moments. Facundo saved all six break points and delivered one break in each set to emerge at the top. Jarry was off to a good start, creating three break points in the first game of the encounter. Facundo denied them and provided a vital hold that gave him confidence in his first ATP final.
The Chilean lost serve in the fourth game, netting a forehand and hitting a double fault to push the Argentine in front. Diaz Acosta confirmed the lead with a forehand winner in game five and produced a hold in game seven for a 5-2 advantage, moving closer to the opener. Nicolas extended the set with a service winner in game eight before Facundo landed a drop shot winner in the next one, wrapping up the opener 6-3 in 39 minutes. Carried by this boost, the Argentine secured another break at the start of the second set, painting a forehand return winner and moving a set and a break up. Facundo extended his streak with a service winner in the second game and fired a backhand down the line winner at 2-0 for two break chances.
Facundo Diaz Acosta & Nicolas Jarry, Buenos Aires 2024© Marcelo Endelli / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Jarry stepped in with his forehand and saved them, closing the game with a service winner and staying in touch. Nicolas erased another break point in the fifth game and reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a powerful serve. Diaz Acosta clinched the sixth game at love with a service winner, notching seven flawless service games before facing issues at 4-3. The Argentine experienced two break points, and the Chilean sprayed his chances with loose backhands. Facundo served for his first ATP title at 5-4 and squandered four match points. Jarry claimed an extended rally and created a break chance, making one last push to prolong the battle. Diaz Acosta denied it with an unreturned serve before missing the fifth match point with a loose forehand. Facundo finally converted the sixth match point after Nicolas’ forehand error, clinching his first ATP trophy at 23.
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