Carreno Busta Soars In Sao Paulo

Pablo Carreno Busta will represent the whole of Spain in the Brasil Open final after downing countryman Inigo Cervantes 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday in just 52 minutes to advance to his first ATP World Tour final. Currently ranked No. 67 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Carreno Busta will reach a career-high rank next Monday.

“I did not expect to win like this,” Carreno Busta said. “I played against Inigo a couple of weeks ago and it was a very difficult match, so I expected the same today, but it was not like that.

“I think I played well, not as well as yesterday but also I think he was a little bit nervous. I took advantage of that. I’m very happy to make my first final. It was my third semi-final and finally I ended as a winner. I’m very happy for that, but especially because of the way I’m playing at the moment.”

Carreno Busta’s Brazil swing has been full of run-ins with familiar opponents. The 24 year old was eliminated by Rafael Nadal in Rio de Janeiro last week before defeating four fellow Spaniards (Ramos-Vinolas, Gimeno-Traver, Carballes Baena and Cervantes) en route to the Sao Paulo final.

In the final, Carreno Busta will face defending champion Pablo Cuevas. The 30-year-old Uruguayan used his experience to down Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 and will be going for a second title in two weeks after winning in Rio. Cuevas outplayed his Serbian opponent on big points, converting all three break point opportunities while holding Lajovic to one service break (1/8).

“I’m playing very calmly right now, with a lot of confidence,” Cuevas said. “I know there will be difficult moments during the match but I’ll be facing those with tranquility and confidence.”

The two Pablos have met once at tour-level, with Cuevas leading the FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry thanks to a win on hard court in Valencia 2015.

“[Cuevas] just came off a great tournament last week in Rio, beating great players and winning the trophy and that speaks to his level right now,” Carreno Busta noted.