ROSARIO/STARNBERG, February 8, 2025
The YPF Rosario Challenger, Argentina’s most prestigious event on the ATP Challenger Tour, delivered another action-packed day, with Sebastian Baez putting on a dominant display to close out Friday’s quarterfinal action. The 31st-ranked Argentine overwhelmed Francesco Passaro with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory, extending his strong run at the Jockey Club de Rosario.
Avanza el favorito: @sebaabaez7 se metió en semifinales con un actuación casi perfecta.
En apenas una hora y seis minutos derrotó 6-1 y 6-2 a Francesco Passaro
Este sábado buscará el pase a la final contra el boliviano Hugo Dellien pic.twitter.com/s9LzRtZuk1
— Rosario Challenger (@rosariochall) February 8, 2025
“This was definitely my best match in a long time,” said Baez. “We’ve been working really hard, and it’s great to feel this level of confidence on court.” The second-highest-ranked Argentine converted six of twelve break opportunities, leaving no doubt about his form. “I stayed focused on every point, and the confidence from my previous matches helped a lot. I also really enjoy playing at this club, which brings back great memories,” added Baez, recalling his Davis Cup heroics against Kazakhstan earlier this year. Competing in an ATP Challenger Tour event for the first time in 21 months, he now aims to capture his first Challenger title since Campinas 2021.
Ugo Carabelli fights back to keep Argentine hopes alive
Joining Baez in the semifinals is fellow Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli, who mounted an impressive comeback to defeat compatriot Juan Pablo Ficovich. Just as he did in previous matches against Diego Schwartzman and Guido Justo, the 25-year-old from Buenos Aires fought through three grueling sets to book his place in the final four.
Appearing in his eighth consecutive Challenger quarterfinal, Ugo Carabelli fell behind 0-3 early in the match. Ficovich, fresh off an upset over fourth seed and former World No. 23 Damir Dzumhur, looked in control. However, Carabelli found his rhythm in the second set and stormed back, winning 12 of the next 13 games to claim victory. “He’s always a tough opponent for me—he started strong and didn’t let me settle into rallies. But once I loosened up, I was able to turn the match around,” said Ugo Carabelli, who claimed three Challenger titles in 2024 (Piracicaba, Santa Cruz, and Villa María).
With one more win, Ugo Carabelli could return to the Top 100 and edge closer to his career-high ranking. His success also fuels speculation about a possible wildcard entry into the Argentina Open next week. “If it’s meant to happen, it will happen,” he said about the possibility of playing in Buenos Aires.
Murkel Dellien continues breakthrough run
Awaiting Ugo Carabelli in the semifinals will be Murkel Dellien, who extended his dream run in Rosario with a hard-fought victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The Bolivian staged a dramatic comeback, winning five consecutive games after trailing 2-5 in the final set, securing his first Challenger semifinal since Brasov, Romania, in July 2024.
“It was an incredibly tough match—my third long battle this week. At this level, matches are decided by small details,” said Dellien, who currently competes without a full-time coach. “We all know each other well from the Challenger circuit, but here I have the advantage of support from my girlfriend and fellow players.”
Hugo Dellien avenges Buenos Aires loss
The Dellien family celebration continued on Center Court, where Murkel’s older brother, Hugo Dellien, secured a hard-fought win over third seed Francisco Comesana. The 31-year-old Bolivian, who fell in the semifinals of the YPF Buenos Aires Challenger, got his revenge with a 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 victory.
“It was a great match. In the first set, we both played at a very high level—I was a bit sharper in the tiebreak and caught some lucky lines at key moments,” said Dellien, a 13-time ATP Challenger champion. “In the second set, I lost focus, but in the third, he got a little nervous, and I managed to capitalize. My serve was solid throughout the match.” Dellien, who won three Challenger titles in 2024 (Iasi, Liberec, and Bonn), now looks to continue his strong form in Rosario.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Singles – Main Draw
[1] Sebastian Baez (ARG) def. [5] Francesco Passaro (ITA) – 6-1, 6-2
[8] Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) def. Juan Pablo Ficovich (ARG) – 3-6, 6-1, 6-0
Hugo Dellien (BOL) def. [3] Francisco Comesana (ARG) – 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3
Murkel Dellien (BOL) def. Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) – 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-5
Doubles – Main Draw
[1] Guido Andreozzi (ARG) / Theo Arribage (FRA) def. [WC] Guillermo Duran (ARG) / Renzo Olivo (ARG) – 6-3, 5-7, 15-13
Mariano Kestelboim (ARG) / Adolfo Daniel Vallejo (PAR) def. [2] Diego Hidalgo (ECU) / Orlando Luz (BRA) – 6-3, 4-6, 10-7
[3] Marcelo Demoliner (BRA) / Fernando Romboli (BRA) def. [ALT] Dmitry Popko (KAZ) / Nikolas Sanchez Izquierdo (ESP) – Walkover
[4] Boris Arias (BOL) / Federico Zeballos (BOL) def. Damir Dzumhur (BIH) / Emilio Nava (USA) – 6-2, 6-4
