De Jong defeats Ugo Carabelli and advances to his first career final in Bastad

In Sweden, Jesper De Jong continues his incredible week. The Dutchman, ranked 106th in the world, will play for the title on Sunday at the ATP 250 tournament in Bastad. After his victories against Rejchtman Vinciguerra (6-3, 6-2), Vit Kopriva (7-6, 7-5), and his compatriot Tallon Griekspoor (4-6, 7-6, 6-3), De Jong managed to overcome Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-3, 7-6).

Solid in this match, he hit 23 winners to 22 unforced errors. Barely troubled on his serves, he seemed to have done the hardest part when he broke the Argentine at 5-5 in the second set, allowing him to serve for the match.

However, after not conceding a single break point up to that moment, he faltered at the worst possible time, giving Ugo Carabelli a lifeline. But this lapse didn’t last long for De Jong, who quickly regained his composure to win the tiebreak 7-3 with an ace.

De Jong secured the win in two sets (6-3, 7-6 in 1 hour and 53 minutes) and will face Francisco Cerundolo or Luciano Darderi this Sunday in his first-ever ATP final at the age of 25.

Guaranteed to re-enter the top 100 after the tournament, he will aim to cap off his outstanding Swedish week in the best possible way, having dropped only one set since the start of the tournament. As a reminder, De Jong is also entered in next week’s ATP tournament in Umag, where he is scheduled to face Mili Poljicak.