Baez downs Muller to make history in Rio

The Argentine defended the crown he won 12 months ago against compatriot Mariano Navone by seeing off Frenchman Muller in a convincing 6-2 6-3 triumph in Brazil.

Baez was only the third player to reach the final in Rio twice after Carlos Alcaraz and Diego Schwartzman and now stands alone as the only two-time champion.

The fifth seed was particularly dominant from the baseline on the clay and pulled his opponent from side to side, nailing 26 winners and breaking Muller's serve on five occasions.

Back in the winner's circle @sebaabaez7 becomes the first ever player to rule at the Jockey Club Brasileiro twice!@rioopenoficial /Fotojump | #RioOpen pic.twitter.com/6MiH1ukHvV

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 23, 2025

Consequently, Baez – who has the most ATP clay-court wins since 2022 with 73 – collected a seventh career ATP Tour title, six of which have come on the red surface.

Muller, 28, was aiming to capture a second career title having already triumphed in Hong Kong earlier this season.