Sebastian Baez has won his fifth and biggest title with a resounding 6-2 6-1 victory against his Argentine compatriot Mariano Navone at the Rio Open.
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The fifth-seeded Baez wasn't seriously challenged by 22-year-old qualifier Navone in Sunday's final of the clay-court tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
Baez is set to climb to a career-high No. 21 in the rankings on Monday, from his current No.30.
Higher-seeded players Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Cameron Norrie, Stan Wawrinka and Nicolas Jarry had all stumbled earlier.
Baez is the second Argentinian to lift the trophy, with Diego Schwartzman the first in 2018.
Despite a somewhat tepid final in Rio de Janeiro, some high profile tennis players past and present have argued in favour of more top tournaments in South America to please the eager crowds that flocked to the Rio Open and the Argentina Open earlier this month.
"Unpopular opinion. South America should have its own dedicated swing on the tennis tour with its own Masters series," said three-time major winner Andy Murray on the X platform.
"The way the fans support the tournaments there is incredible. Amazing atmospheres and is clearly part of their sporting culture. Vamos, ATP Tour."
Six-time grand slam champion Boris Becker agreed: "Why unpopular? You're absolutely right. Tennis should go to countries/continents where tennis is booming."
Schwartzman asked for more pressure.
"Let ATP know this, Andy. Every year they put us less support," he said, adding there should be more tournaments in South America "not just because of how the fans support the tournaments," but also "how many players we have and we had on the top."
"We deserve more than this from ATP," Schwartzman said.
Australian Associated Press
