Tomás Etcheverry outlasts Burruchaga in marathon to become first Argentina Open quarterfinalist
Tomás Etcheverry survived a gripping, three-set battle in Buenos Aires, defeating compatriot Román Burruchaga 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 to secure the first berth in the Argentina Open quarterfinals. In a match stretching beyond three and a half hours, the world No. 57 steadied himself in the decisive set after a momentum-swinging first two, reaffirming his clay-court credentials in front of a packed home crowd.
A tense opener swings in Etcheverry’s favor
The opener was a tug-of-war from the first ball. Each player scored an early break, and at 5-4 on Etcheverry’s serve, Burruchaga carved out a break and set point that could have flipped the night. He went bold with a forehand down the line that missed by inches, a narrow escape Etcheverry seized upon to hold for 5-5. The tiebreak captured the set’s knife-edge balance, but Etcheverry’s heavier first strike and clean serving in pressure moments delivered a 7-5 finish.
Burruchaga’s push: saved match point and a second-set tiebreak
Burruchaga, ranked No. 104 and riding confidence after a recent Challenger final, opened the second set by breaking Etcheverry’s serve and keeping the favorite off rhythm with sharp drop shots and timely forays to net. Etcheverry clawed back the break when trailing 2-3, but the set’s drama peaked late: at 5-6, Burruchaga fended off a match point to extend the contest. Buoyed by that escape, he carried the momentum into the breaker and leveled the match 7-3, forcing a deciding set.
Closing power: three breaks seal a draining decider
Physical wear began to show on Burruchaga in the third, and Etcheverry pounced. The 27-year-old from La Plata repeatedly reset points from the backhand corner and leaned on a reliable first serve to erase counterpunches. He broke three times in the final set, absorbing Burruchaga’s last charges and keeping rallies on his terms to close it out 6-4. The victory adds to a strong Buenos Aires week that began with a straight-sets win over Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino and showcases Etcheverry’s growing poise when the margins tighten.
Form, milestones, and ranking picture
Etcheverry’s run matches his best results at this tournament, having reached the quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024. Once ranked as high as No. 27, he continues to rebuild toward that level, and this win underscores why he remains one of Argentina’s standard-bearers on clay. He is also the most recent Argentine man to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal, a feat achieved at Roland Garros in 2023.
Despite the loss, the week reinforced Burruchaga’s rise. The 24-year-old’s blend of finesse—highlighted by deft drop shots—and aggressive court positioning troubled Etcheverry for long spells. With this performance, he nudges the live rankings to No. 101, pressing at the door of a first-ever Top 100 breakthrough.
Quarterfinal outlook
Etcheverry’s quarterfinal test comes against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, a left-hander whose ability to take the ball early and change direction can disrupt established patterns on clay. The matchup offers a contrasting look from the all-Argentine duel: expect Etcheverry to seek extended exchanges and target Tabilo’s backhand wing, while Tabilo will aim to deny rhythm with quick-strike returns and front-foot baseline pressure. The section of the draw had also featured defending champion Joao Fonseca, adding weight to what is shaping into a standout week for the home favorite.
Why it matters in Buenos Aires
For Etcheverry, this was not just a win, but a proof point: when matches get stretched and frayed, he has the legs and nerve to finish the job. His serve answered under duress—most notably on critical break points—and his forehand dictated the biggest exchanges. In front of a partisan crowd hungry for a deep run from a home player, he delivered staying power and shot-making to match the moment. The path now sharpens, but the manner of this victory suggests he arrives in the last eight with both belief and form.
