Golden Swing King! Sebastian Baez goes back-to-back in Rio with victory over Alexandre Muller

Sebastian Baez successfully defended his ATP 500 Rio Open title after defeating France’s Alexandre Muller in straight sets. The Argentine becomes the first player to win two Rio Open titles since its inception in 2014, following a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Baez once again showcased his strength on clay courts, cementing himself as the best player of the Golden Swing in recent years, with four titles and a final in ATP events across South America since 2022. The world No. 31 successfully defended his ranking points from last year, avoiding a major drop in the rankings.

Read also

Brutal data leak at Rio Open: Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca among those affected

First set

Although Baez entered the match as the favourite, he faced an opponent with nothing to lose in just his second ATP final. Muller had already pulled off several upsets this week, including victories over home star Joao Fonseca and fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo.

Muller pulled off the shock of the week by knocking out local star Joao Fonseca in the first round.

The Frenchman relied on strong first-serve variations throughout the tournament, maintaining an impressive 75% effectiveness in every match leading up to the final. However, his lack of experience in high-pressure moments seemed to take its toll, as Baez quickly took control after securing an early break in the third game.

Both players had their chances throughout the set, with break point opportunities in most service games. However, in the key moments, it was the 23-year-old Baez who showcased greater composure. He saved four break points against him and converted two of six opportunities on Muller’s serve, taking the set 6-2 after 48 minutes.

Read also

(VIDEO) Alexander Zverev attempts to hit drone during Rio Open upset

Second Set

The local crowd was clearly backing the South American, with a significant Argentine presence throughout the week. The defending champion secured an early break to lead 2-1, putting him on course for the title. However, Muller responded immediately—helped by Baez’s errors—breaking to love to level the set.

In the most tense moments, world No. 31 took the initiative and capitalized on his chances. He turned a 2-3 deficit into a four-game streak, winning 16 of the last 23 points and securing two breaks. With a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory, Baez clinched the seventh title of his career and his sixth on clay.

Read also

Here is how much you can earn in Prize Money at ATP Chile Open 2025

Baez won 73% of his first-serve points, compared to just 60% for Muller. He also held a 50% success rate on second serves, while Muller struggled at just 32%.

The Argentine will stay in South America to defend his title at the Santiago Open, where he defeated home hero Alejandro Tabilo last year and also reached the final in 2022. Meanwhile, Muller will head to Acapulco, now with a career-high ranking of world No. 41, just weeks after turning 28.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe