BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Argentine fifth-seed Francisco Cerundolo cruised into the ATP 250 Argentina Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Spaniard Pedro Martinez on Saturday.
Cerundolo served eight aces and won 72% of his first serve points to take the match in one hour and 34 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
He will meet Joao Fonseca in Sunday's final after the Brazilian overcame Laslo Djere of Serbia 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1 earlier on Saturday.
"I'm prepared to win this tournament," said 26-year-old Cerundolo, who admitted he struggled to fall asleep following his shock quarterfinal victory over Alexander Zverev of Germany.
"I went to bed at 2 am. That changed my daily routine a little and it was tricky to manage. I have to lower the adrenaline level and focus on what's at hand. Thankfully today I managed to play a good match," added the world No. 28, who is seeking his fourth ATP title.
Eighteen-year-old Fonseca is the youngest Argentina Open finalist since compatriot Jose Acasuso finished runner-up in 2001 and the youngest ATP finalist on clay since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.
He played down the significance of an abdominal problem that required a medical timeout midway through the match.
"I'm proud of myself," the World No. 99 told reporters. "It was a tough battle against a very good player. I'm happy with the way I fought to the end despite the pain and tiredness. I had to be mentally strong in the second set to be in good shape in the third. Now I want to be even stronger for the final." ■
