Another tournament distinction. Another era of Argentine tennis. And fundamentally Chilean tennis. Then, the best South American exponents faced each other in the traditional Hamburg tournament. This May 9th marks a quarter of a century and it is pure history.
Marcelo Ríos, eight in the world at that time, defeated an ascendant Mariano Zabaleta in the grand final of the 1999 tournament. It was 6-7 (5), 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (5) and 6-2 in four hours and seven minutes in the longest game the ‘Chinese’ throughout his career.
Ríos (trained by Luis Lobo) obtained his 13th title in professionalism. It was the fifth and last Masters 1000 (at that time they were called Masters Series or Super 9) after Monte-Carlo in 1997, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome in 1998.
The Chilean’s path to consecration was marked by victories against the German Oliver Gross 7-6 (6) and 7-5, against South African Wayne Ferreira 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3, against Tommy Haas (double 6-4), against Carlos Moyá (he was the current Roland Garros champion) 6-4 and 7-6 (4) and the aforementioned victory against Zabaleta.
Breaks and rallies everywhere were common throughout the five sets. Big points, impossible angles and up to matches points saved. When stepping on the decisive set Ríos unleashed that indomitable right hand. What he didn’t let go of was the champion trophy.
The “plate” of the experience was more. Like the prize she won that allowed her to buy dinner. Because far from home, South American tennis gave us something to talk about (and eat). As he did yesterday, today and always.
