An explosive rematch

Last year it was Hanfmann who came out on top in a nail-biter right here against Baez, in a match with quite a few twists and turns.

I don't think I saw the match, or at least I don't remember it. From what I'm reading, Hanfmann was still clearly on top, and the way the match unfolded seems to confirm that. He was ahead in every set before collapsing a bit in the key moments. That doesn’t really surprise me from the German, nor from Baez, who in the end is better on the scoreboard.

This year, we can expect an equally tight match given the blistering start from both players. On one side, Hanfmann has been solid so far, and he still hasn’t lost a set despite, once again, a few issues finishing off his sets or closing out his matches cleanly. He scared himself in the second set against Trungelliti

today, but the level of play is top-notch. At altitude, he’s a serious threat.

Baez dropped a set again today against Rinderknech, and that was also the case against Kecmanovic in his first round. The Argentine’s level is very good, no question about that, but he has big dips in intensity because his game burns a lot of energy and he almost relies solely on that to make the difference. Against Kecmanovic, he let go and took a heavy scoreline in the second set, and it was the same story today against Rinderknech. The Argentine has already put in a lot, and that’s what worries me. Over the long haul, and also in terms of pure tennis level, he’s really well dialed in this week.

As for the match-up, Hanfmann has a few weapons to counter Baez’s great mobility, notably his big serve, obviously his kick serve to follow up to the net, and also drop shots. The German is a bit lazy at times, but it’s a great opportunity for him this week. He’s in the quarterfinals and he’s still fresh. I think he’s very dangerous, just like Baez, but I’m a bit afraid the Argentine might run out of gas at 2–3 points in the match and that could make the difference. In any case, it’s shaping up to be a tight match, and if I have to give my opinion on the winner, it would be…