Brazil bests Argentina in NBO doubles, as Luz…

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In a matchup between Brazil and Argentina — in tennis, not soccer — Brazil won at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.

Doubles specialists Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz beat the predominantly singles duo of Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 7-6 (7) to reach their first Masters 1000 final.

A break in the first game on Centre Court sent Matos and Luz on the way before giving way to a second set where Cerundolo and Etcheverry led the tiebreak 6-3 and 7-6. But, after incredible defence from Matos saved one of the set points, Cerundolo double faulted to end proceedings in Montreal.

Matos and Luz were just much more solid and chose their shots wisely. Cerundolo and Etcheverry were often spectacular in the second set, especially with their returns, but struggled with shot selection and positioning.

In the opening frame, Etcheverry began slowly, spraying balls from the baseline and missing first serves as he was broken for 0-1.

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Their lone real opportunity to break back came at 4-5. But at 0-15, Cerundolo erred on a return. Cerundolo and Etcheverry — who had taken out top seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in the quarterfinals — raised their level in set two. They stayed with the Brazilians throughout, so the tiebreak was needed.

Trailing in the tiebreak 1-0, Cerundolo and Etcheverry took turns thumping returns to leave Luz no chance up at the net. When it became 5-1, a third set looked very likely.

Yet Matos and Luz rallied.

At 6-5, Cerundolo poached but barely got any contact with his forehand volley. The momentum swung and Luz then got both points on his own serve before Cerundolo’s double fault.

Matos and Luz remain at No. 11 in the Race to the ATP Finals. They stuck together despite having a seven-match losing streak earlier in the season. They entered Montreal 2-4 at Masters events in 2026.

In the final, they’ll face the third-seeded team of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, a pair of Grand Slam champions, who beat Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti 6-4, 6-4 in the other doubles semifinal on Rogers Court.

Photo: Amélie Caron/Tennis Canada