Schwartzman ends the drought in Argentina

Diego Schwartzman has finally won his home tournament to claim the fourth title of his career and at the same time, becomes the first local champion of the Argentina Open in 13 years.

It’s the first time [I have won at] home. Two years ago, I reached the final here and lost. … I was very unhappy, but two years later I have my revenge against Francisco, who is a great player Diego Schwartzman

The World No. 9 from Buenos Aires easily demolished fellow countryman Francisco Cerundolo, 6-1 6-2 to follow David Nalbandian, the last Argentine to win in Buenos Aires back in 2008, onto the Board of Honour.

“I’m very, very happy; it’s been an amazing week for me,” Schwartzman said after accepting his trophy, a large ‘matte’ cup, following the 81-minute final.

“It’s the first time [I have won at] home. Two years ago, I reached the final here and lost. … I was very unhappy, but two years later I have my revenge against Francisco, who is a great player.”

The 137th-ranked Cerundolo, whose younger brother Juan Manuel lifted the Cordoba Open trophy a week ago, qualified for the main draw and made a valiant run at this week’s title when he hoped to become the seventh set of siblings in the Open Era to win titles, and the first pair to actually do it in consecutive weeks.

In what was only his second ATP 250 level appearance, the 22-year-old was broken six times as the more experienced Schwartzman took full advantage of any fatigue he might be experiencing after seven matches, five of them (including qualifying) over three sets.

Schwartzman outpointed his opponent 64-45 over the course of the course of the final to secure the title victory.

“It was an emotional week – very different because in the other weeks you don’t have all your family and friends with you, the people who never see you on court,” Schwartzman told ATPTour.com. “Having these moments, sharing this with them and winning the title is a totally different feeling. It’s amazing…”

Interestingly, when Nalbandian won 13 years ago, it was at the expense of another Argentine, Jose Acasuso.

“[Cerundolo] had a spectacular week,” Schwaertzman added. “I’ve been following him since he qualified, and we’ve had great conversations and talked about his matches.

“I also know his whole family. They were there at the same club where I started playing tennis before [Francisco] was born… This was his week, last week was [Juan Manuel’s] week.”

Schwartzman, who hadn’t dropped a set all week in Buenos Aires, and only lost his serve three times en route to the trophy, was a bit surprised at those figures.

“That is a very weird stat about my serve,” he pondered afterward. “I think I served really well all the matches and I felt very good on court – aggressive, doing good defence and not many mistakes and every match felt better and better. I think that’s why I won the title.”

The two Argentine finalists pose with their respective trophies following the final.