34-year-old Yannick Hanfmann is on the verge of winning his first title after almost 9 years on the tour.
The German reached his first final in six years when he upset top seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Chile Open in Snatiago, Chile.
“I think I played such a good game from the first point to the last,” Hanfmann said. ‘I have to [do that] against him. He’s a great player and I knew I had to bring my A-game today. I am really happy.”
He performed strongly, especially on serve to secure his victory, fending off both break points he faced, including a crucial point on serving for the match.
“It’s normal to have some nerves about getting into a final,” the German noted. But in the end, and even at the break point, I believed in my shots and in my ability to stay in the rally.”
The 34-year-old will attempt to win his first Tour title when he faces second seed Luciano Darderi in Sunday’s championship match.
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Darderi put in an equally strong performance, beating another Argentine, Sebastian Baez, the 2024 champion, 6-4 6-3 in 89 minutes.
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“Sebastian is a tough opponent,” said Darderi as he reached his second final of the season and sixth of his career. “We’ve played three times already this year. He’s a great player on clay. He’s won more than six or seven titles. So it’s always a tough match against him.”
Darderi will face Hanfmann for the second time after winning their only previous meeting.
Luciano Darderi reaches the second final of the season
(Photo by Reinaldo Ubilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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