Cobolli Triumphs Over Baez in Bucharest to Claim His First ATP Tour Title

The first of five scheduled finals across the ATP and WTA tours took place this Sunday. The opening match was held early in the afternoon in Bucharest. In the Romanian capital, clay-court specialist Sebastian Baez (the top seed) faced off against Flavio Cobolli (the third seed).

The Argentine was already competing in his third clay-court final of 2025, having won the title in Rio de Janeiro and lost in Santiago during the South American swing. Meanwhile, Cobolli has been steadily recovering after a tough start to the season, marked by seven consecutive losses at the beginning of 2025.

Riding high on confidence this week, the Italian seized his opportunity in the final. Creating more break chances than his opponent, Cobolli secured a decisive advantage late in the first set to take control.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with the 22-year-old Cobolli pulling ahead to lead 5-2 with a double break. But then nerves set in, and Baez fought back, saving six match points and narrowing the gap. However, at 5-4, Cobolli regained his composure and closed out the match on his seventh opportunity (6-4, 6-4).

After losing last summer’s ATP 500 final in Washington to Sebastian Korda, Cobolli—who defeated Gasquet, Misolic, and Dzumhur before overcoming Baez—claimed his first ATP Tour title in his second career final.

A long-awaited victory, this win propels him nine spots up the rankings, returning to No. 36 on Monday and inching closer to his career-high ranking (No. 30).