Argentina is hoping to advance out of group-stage play for the first time in three tournament appearances, and was aided in its opening win by its second-highest and highest-ranked players in the PIF ATP Rankings and PIF WTA Rankings, respectively. But Sierra’s grit in particular was a highlight over 2 hours and 2 minutes, as she regrouped emphatically after losing a 5-2 second-set lead. <\/p>\n
Sierra was two points away from a straight-sets victory twice in the second set, having 30-30 serving at 5-3, and on return at 5-4. But when all was said and done, she needed three sets to top the World No. 41 and earn her third career win over a Top 50 opponent. <\/p>\n
She lost just eight points in the third set after dropping five straight games to lose the second. <\/p>\n
“It was a really tough match. I just tried to focus on my game. I was doing really good, then at 5-2 in the second set, I was not playing too good. But I’m really proud of how I kept going in the third set,” the 21-year-old said after just her second-ever tour-level win over a player from Spain. <\/p>\n
“I’m super happy to start the year competing and representing Argentina. It’s a different week, sharing the week with all the team. We are enjoying every moment.” <\/p>\n
Earlier, in the first match of the 2026 ATP Tour season, World No. 45 Baez defeated Munar to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. Making his debut at the mixed teams event, the 24-year-old Baez recorded a 6-4, 6-4 win against the Spaniard in one hour and 43 minutes in the Group A tie. With the victory, he improved to 2-0 in the pair\u2019s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to [have] won this point for Argentina,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n