Defending Champ Ramos-Vinolas Continues Cordoba Hot Streak

The Cordoba Open continues to be a happy hunting ground for Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who advanced to his third straight semi-final at the ATP 250 on Friday. The third-seeded Spaniard — champion in 2022 and finalist in 2021 — defeated Joao Sousa 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in the quarters, his second three-set win of the week in Argentina.

Ramos-Vinolas also won the first and third sets against Dusan Lajovic on Thursday before repeating the feat against Sousa.

"I think I just played a little bit better in the third set," he said after improving to 6-2 in his ATP Head2Head against the Portuguese. "I missed a little bit less and I was a little bit more controlling the ball, and because I controlled more the ball I was able to be a little bit more offensive with my forehand."

In a match full of break chances, Ramos-Vinolas was an efficient five-of-nine on his opportunities, while Sousa could only convert on four of 10 break points. Ramos-Vinolas faced just one break point in the deciding set, which he saved at 4-1.

The 35-year-old will next face sixth seed Federico Coria in Saturday's semis after the Argentine moved past countryman and second seed Francisco Cerundolo, who retired with a leg injury while trailing 3-6, 0-3.

In the draw's top half, fourth seed Sebastian Baez defeated Chilean wild card Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the Cordoba semi-finals for the first time in two appearances. It is the 22-year-old Argentine's first ATP Tour semi-final since he reached the title match in Bastad last July.

He will next face Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien, who advanced to the semis with a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-0 win against Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo.