Argentinian tennis player Román Burruchaga (77th in the world) lost in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Houston, USA, to local player Tommy Paul (21st). According to the Argentinian News Agency, the 24-year-old player lost 1-6, 6-3, 5-7 after a match that lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes. Thus, 'Burru' played in his first ATP final and continues to consolidate his growth in tennis, reaching the 62nd position in the live ranking. This guarantees him direct qualification to the main draw of the Grand Slam tournament, Roland Garros, and will allow him to play high-level tournaments for most of the year. It was not to be for Román Burruchaga, after a dream week that was not surprising, but rather confirmed the rise of one of the best Argentine players to break into the top 100 in recent months. Against a great, very even rival with firm and deep shots, the Argentine had a bad start, with two breaks that quickly sealed his fate in the first set, although he managed to take the second set 6-3 after breaking his opponent's serve twice. In a third set that decided the American tournament, Burruchaga managed to break serve quickly in the third set and maintained the lead in the following games. A great level in long points, with a passing shot drive against his opponent at the net as one of his best shots of the match, gave him three match points in the ninth game, although he could not capitalize on them. Renewed in confidence after saving three championship points, Tommy Paul broke in the next game, held his serve without conceding points, and in a twelfth game that had four deuces, he demonstrated coolness by taking advantage of a single match point to seal the duel after his opponent's error. 'Burru' could not take advantage of his first opportunity in an ATP final, having also reached his first semifinal this week, but he has reasons to be satisfied, as he approaches the top 60 in the ranking that will be published this Monday and secured direct qualification to a Grand Slam, Roland Garros, for the first time in his career.
