ROAD2 AUSTRALIA. Buenos Aires, Argentina. By Leo Canaparo
The tournament got underway at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club on a surface rarely seen in Argentina: hard courts. The event serves as a key warm-up for the Australian summer swing, which officially begins on January 12, leaving local players little time to adapt to the fast conditions.
Under the name Road to Australia, this five-day tournament has transformed the club’s traditional clay courts into hard courts, offering players a valuable opportunity to adjust to the pace, bounce, and physical demands they will soon face in Australia. Competing on cement allows players to work on first-serve efficiency, aggressive baseline play, and quicker point construction—essential elements for success on hard courts, where rallies tend to be shorter and consistency off the ground is crucial.
Opening-Day Results
On the Rod Laver Court, Argentina’s Mariano Navone defeated compatriot Thiago Tirante 4-3 (2), 4-3 (3). Later, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo also advanced after overcoming Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild 4-3 (6), 3-4 (6), 14-12, in a thrilling match that concluded well past midnight.
Action on the Sydney Court saw Sebastián Báez prevail over Ecuador’s Álvaro Guillén Meza in two tie-break sets, 4-3 (1), 4-3 (6). In the same group, Camilo Ugo Carabelli claimed a solid win against fellow Argentine Genaro Olivieri, 4-3 (4), 4-2, in an all-Argentine clash.
Among the Melbourne Court debuts, local player Alex Barrena defeated Paraguay’s Daniel Vallejo 4-3 (5), 4-2, while Román Burruchaga edged Francisco Comesaña 3-4 (4), 4-3 (4), 10-6, in another closely contested Argentine matchup.
Finally, on the Margaret Court, Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien started his campaign with a victory over Chile’s Tomás Barrios Vera, 4-3 (2), 2-4, 11-9. The day concluded with Facundo Díaz Acosta staging an impressive comeback, turning around a difficult start to defeat Juan Pablo Ficovich 1-4, 4-1, 10-5.
With competitive matches and fast-paced conditions, Road to Australia offers South American players a rare and valuable chance to sharpen their games on hard courts before heading into one of the most demanding stretches of the season.
Photos Prensa Road2Aus/Nico Aguilera)