Diaz Acosta upsets Jarry in Buenos Aires for first ATP title

Facundo Diaz Acosta will never forget what he accomplished Sunday in Buenos Aires.

The 23-year-old wild card defeated third seed Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the IEB+ Argentina Open to capture his first ATP Tour title.

"I still can't believe it," Diaz Acosta said in Spanish. "I have been dreaming about this moment for a long time with my team, working hard to achieve it every day."

CHAMPION IN BUENOS AIRES 🏆 🇦🇷@Facudiazacosta takes the title 6-3 6-4 against Jarry.@ArgentinaOpen | #IEBMasArgOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/hHKo6fuZza

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 18, 2024

The Argentine began the week with just four tour-level wins. He earned five this week alone and did not lose a set en route to the trophy at the ATP 250 event. Diaz Acosta joined Rafael Nadal as the only left-handed champions in tournament history.

"I am very happy to be able to lift this trophy," Diaz Acosta said. "I think I played a great match, as I did all week, but I still can't figure out how I won the tournament without losing sets."

The home favourite began the week at a career-high No. 87 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. With his memorable performance in Argentina, he will climb to World No. 59 on Monday.

Jarry entered the final with plenty of momentum after stunning World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz Saturday in the semi-finals. It was the biggest win of the powerful Chilean’s career. 

But the 28-year-old was unable to maintain the same form in the final. The massive blows that were landing in the semis were sailing long or into the net, while Diaz Acosta served as a heavy-hitting backboard in front of his home fans.

“Ole! Ole, Ole, Ole! Facu! Facu!”

The Argentine faithful sang that song repeatedly on Court Guillermo Vilas, pushing Diaz Acosta to dig deep in the biggest match of his career. And that he did. According to Infosys ATP Stats, he saved all six break points he faced to emerge victorious after one hour and 45 minutes.

Jarry showed signs of his best tennis in the second half of the second set and began to limit his errors. But Diaz Acosta treated the court like a chess board, allowing the Chilean to control rallies and waiting for the perfect moment to counterpunch and hit timely winners.

The Argentine found himself in trouble serving at 4-3 in the second set. He faced his first break points since the first game of the match, but Jarry’s backhand proved vulnerable in the critical moments.

Diaz Acosta was made to work when he served for the title. He saved another break point in the final game and finally converted his sixth championship point, dropping his racquet and looking to his team in disbelief with a wide smile.

Did You Know?
Diaz Acosta defeated Daniel Altmaier, fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo, Dusan Lajovic, Federico Coria and Jarry to become the sixth Argentine champion in Buenos Aires tournament history.