Sebastian Baez became the first South American player to reach the semifinals at the Intesa San Paolo Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan after beating Hugo Gaston 4-3 (7-2) 4-2 4-2 in 67 minutes. Baez hit 27 winners and broke Gaston four times.
Gaston earned an early break in the first game to take a 1-0 lead. Baez broke straight back to draw level to 1-1. Both players traded breaks in the fifth and sixth games. Baez earned two mini-breaks to close out the tie-break 7-2.
Baez earned a break in the third game. Gaston saved a break point in the fifth game to hold serve on the deciding point before Baez served it out on his first set point.
Gaston saved a break point in the first game, but Baez broke in the third game to win the third set. “I feel great. It is not just for me, but my team as well. I am happy to have won this match, but we now need to think ahead to the next match. I think the key was to stay aggressive and concentrate all the time because Gaston is a dangerous player, so I am happy I did that”, said Baez.
