RÍO DE JANEIRO – The exhaustion was visible. After more than six hours on court across Saturday and Sunday, including a rain-interrupted semifinal battle and a grueling final against Alejandro Tabilo, Tomás Martín Etcheverry appeared to have nothing left in the tank. But fueled by a potent mix of resilience and a burning desire to claim his first ATP title, the Argentine dug deep and secured a dramatic victory at the Rio Open .
Etcheverry lost the first set 6-3, but rallied to win the subsequent sets 7-6(7-3) and 6-4 in a match that lasted 3 hours and 4 minutes. Collapsing onto the clay court in celebration, tears streamed down his face as he finally realized a long-held dream. The win marks the fourth Rio Open title for an Argentinian player.
From the outset, Etcheverry adopted an aggressive strategy, taking risks with his shots. This approach yielded immediate results, breaking Tabilo’s serve in the opening game. However, the humid conditions quickly took their toll, and Etcheverry surrendered his own serve soon after. Tabilo’s drop shots proved particularly effective, forcing Etcheverry into physically demanding sprints he struggled to complete. A frustrated Etcheverry sought guidance from his coach, Waly Grinovero, acknowledging he was at a disadvantage. Tabilo closed out the first set, capitalizing on Etcheverry’s fatigue.
The second set saw Tabilo continue to dictate play, breaking Etcheverry early and building a 2-1 lead. With the stadium approximately 60% full (Guga Kuerten Court has a capacity of 6200), Etcheverry appeared to be fading. However, Tabilo began to show signs of nerves as he neared the championship, having previously won titles on hard, grass, and clay surfaces.
Against the odds, Etcheverry generated a break point in the sixth game, converting it to level the set at 3-3. The set progressed to 4-4, with Tabilo pressing and earning two break points, both of which Etcheverry bravely saved after a lengthy exchange. He then secured his own serve, raising a clenched fist in defiance. Both players held serve, leading to a tie-break. Etcheverry gained a 4-2 advantage in the tie-break, extending his lead and ultimately claiming the set 7-6(7-3).
The third set saw a shift in momentum, with Tabilo struggling with his forehand and Etcheverry playing with renewed confidence. He broke Tabilo in the third game, taking a crucial lead. Unfortunately for Etcheverry, rain began to fall, interrupting play. Tabilo received treatment from a physiotherapist for discomfort in his right hip. As the rain intensified, so did the drama. Etcheverry had two break points in the fifth game, potentially extending his lead to 4-2, but Tabilo managed to survive. Etcheverry maintained his advantage, reaching 5-4 and serving for the championship. He reached 40-15, but failed to convert two match points. The ghosts of past finals – Santiago 2023, Houston 2023, and Lyon 2024 – threatened to resurface. However, Tabilo erred on a drive, and on the third match point, he sent a right-handed shot long, handing Etcheverry the title.
The victory propels Etcheverry to world No. 33, a ranking he hasn’t held since August 2024. It also extends Argentina’s dominance at the Rio Open, marking the third consecutive year an Argentinian player has lifted the trophy, following Sebastián Báez’s back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025. Etcheverry also earned a prize of US$461,835.
“It’s a dream come true for me, it’s my first title and I’ve been looking for it a lot with my team. I still can’t believe it,” Etcheverry said. “I gave it one hundred percent, it was the final, it was the most important match and I left everything on the court. I had lost three finals (in addition to Santiago, Houston 2023 and Lyon 2024) and I am very excited right now. It was a great match and it fell on my side. It’s the happiest day of my life. I won my first title! I can’t believe it.”
As fireworks illuminated the Rio night and the song “You’re Simply the Best” filled the air, Etcheverry savored a moment he will undoubtedly never forget.
