Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry announced his withdrawal from the Chile Open due to fatigue after claiming the Rio Open presented by Claro, the first title of his career at tour level in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
Following the heavy rain that fell on Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, world No. 33 Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Chilean player Alejandro Tabilo saw their respective semifinal matches postponed to Sunday.
Eventually, both moved within one match of the crown at the Rio Open presented by Claro.
A memorable Sunday began with the 26-year-old from La Plata producing an epic comeback from a set down to prevail over Vit Kopriva in two tiebreaks, 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4), securing his ticket into the ATP 500 championship match.
Meanwhile, world No. 42 Tabilo defeated the spirited Peruvian player Ignacio Buse in straight sets.
The 21-year-old made an impressive run to the last four, upsetting home favorite Joao Fonseca and Italian Matteo Berrettini; as a result, on Monday, he reached a career high of world No. 66.
With the win, Tabilo, 28, advanced to his third career title, his second meeting against the Argentine player, a rematch of their quarterfinal meeting in Buenos Aires the week before.
Both finalists were competing in the Golden Swing, a series of three clay court events held in the South American cities of Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Santiago de Chile.
Far Away from Any Given Sunday
A few hours later, the eighth seed and the three-time ATP title holder hit back on the court to play one another for the title.
Going the extra mile, they pushed each other over three dramatic sets; the Chilean player hit first, forcing Etcheverry to rally from a set down and a break to overpower Tabilo 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, achieving a new career milestone.
“This is a dream come true for me,” he outlined. “I was looking for a while for my first title. I’ve been working so hard with my team, and I can’t believe it.”
The three-hour, four-minute final was marked by extended baseline rallies, taking a physical and mental toll on the competitors.
During the trophy ceremony, he added, “I don’t know how I did it; I drew strength from where I didn’t have any.”
On Monday, the first-time ATP title holder announced his withdrawal from the Chile Open due to fatigue.
Overall, Etcheverry spent six hours on court on Sunday, winning four of six sets.
“I just tried to give my 100 percent,” he further remarked. “It was the final, the last match of the tournament, so I gave my 100 percent, and I think at the end, I have the prize.”
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