It’s an All-Argentine final in Córdoba

The Semi Finals were played in Córdoba and the results were as follows

Córdoba Open in Córdoba, Argentina.

Semi Finals

Wildcard Juan Ignacio Londero c Federico Delbonis 

Londero came to the tournament without having won a match at ATP Tour level, losing each of the just three contested.

In Córdoba this week, however, he made a significant step into the big league, winning three matches to make the semis, his first one ousting the fifth seed.

Delbonis, unlike Londero, had to survive two three setters in reaching the semis, but he too said farewell to a seed in round one.

Londero exploded in set one, winning 14 of 17 points on his first serve and 55% of points on all of the Delbonis deliveries.  He broke his fellow Argentine twice from four opportunities, and was ahead 6-1.

Set two was even worse for Delbonis as he granted Londero eight break points, three which were eagerly converted, while not one break chance was offered in return for the entire match.

Juan Ignacio Londero, won his fourth match in Córdoba 6-1 6-0, propelling him to a final, without dropping a set.  Irrespective of the result in the final, Londero will crack the top 100 after the tournament.

Pablo Cuevas v Guido Pella (8)

Pella’s first ATP title came in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and it was against Cuevas.  It appeared likely that the result here in Córdoba would be similar, as the first set was dominated by Pella. The Argentine won 80% of points on his serve and a greedy 58% of points on the Cuevas serve.

That translated into two break chances, both used to advantage and a 6-1 lead.  

Cuevas may have had some reason for his poor start, having earlier in the day completed his delayed quarter final against Aljaz Bedene.  That match resumed with only four games on the board and lasted 102 minutes before Cuevas finally was victorious.

Set two was brighter for the Uruguayan with 82% of points won behind his first serve, and managing to create a few break chances.  Cuevas saved the one break danger he faced, and converted one of his to level the match at a set apiece.

Pella steadied in the third, and although competitive, Cuevas seemed to run out of legs, and Pella assured the Córdoba crowd that they would have an all-Argentine final.  He won 6-1 3-6 6-3.