BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Nicolas Jarry of Chile upset second-seeded Carlos Algarz 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the Argentina Open semifinals on Saturday.
Zari, after the biggest win of his career, will face home fans' favorite Facundo Díaz Acosta in Sunday's final. This is their first tour-wide gathering.
Algaraz was the defending champion, but didn't look as sharp and aggressive this week as he did a year ago. The 20-year-old smashed his racket on court after his loss, a rare feat for the Spaniard.
„Congratulations to Nico for this match and good luck to him in the final,” Alcaraz said after his loss. The Spaniard will also play on clay next week at the Rio Open in Brazil, which he won in 2022 and reached last year's decider.
Despite not having played in a final since August or won a title since Wimbledon, it was Algarez's fourth loss on clay in 31 appearances since 2023. Players ranked outside the top 20. Zari was ranked 21st and had lost his previous two matches with Algaras.
Zari will be playing for his fourth ATP singles title, all on clay. He won his previous titles in Bastad 2019, Genoa 2023 and Santiago 2023. The Chilean competed against Algaraz at last year's Rio Open but left the court in tears after losing in three sets.
„Carlos is one of the best and it means a lot to me,” Zari said after the match. „After the battle I had a few days ago (against Stan Wawrinka), a physically difficult one, I am very happy that I was able to compete again.”
Diaz Acosta defeated Argentina's Federico Correa 6-2, 6-3 in his first tour semi-final.