The Brazilian "Jockey Club" courts witnessed fierce competition during the quarter-finals of the Rio Open tennis tournament , as Latin American stars continued their brilliance on clay courts, setting records and causing major upsets in one of the most important tournaments of the Association of Tennis Professionals in South America.
Tapello decides the South American derby
In a marathon match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Chilean star Alejandro Tabello secured his place in the semifinals after a fierce battle against his Argentinian opponent, Thiago Terante. The three-set encounter showcased Tabello's mental fortitude, as he ultimately prevailed 7-6, 6-7, 6-1. This victory not only reflects Tabello's skill but also confirms his readiness to compete for the title, especially considering the high humidity and challenging weather conditions for which Rio de Janeiro is known.
Tabello will face an unexpected challenge in the next round from rising Peruvian star Ignacio Pius , who pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by eliminating veteran Italian star Matteo Berrettini. Pius delivered a heroic performance, defeating the former Wimbledon runner-up in three sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-3), proving that the new generation of South American players is a force to be reckoned with.
HCIFERI and a new record
On the other side of the draw, Argentina's Tomás Martín Echeverry , ranked 51st in the world, wrote a new chapter in his career. Echeverry achieved his 100th career victory after defeating Portugal's Jaime Faria in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4. This achievement puts Echeverry in the spotlight as a regular on the ATP Tour, especially on the clay courts where he excels.
Etcheverry set up a semi-final meeting with Czech player Vit Kupreva , who also continued his strong performances by eliminating Argentine Juan Manuel Cerondolo with a score of 6-4 and 6-4, to secure his place in the semi-finals at the famous "Guva Kuerten" court.
The importance of the Rio Open
The Rio Open holds special significance as the only ATP 500 tournament in South America and serves as a key stop for clay-court specialists before the European season. Last year's edition saw Argentina's Sebastián Báez crowned champion after defeating France's Alexandre Muller in the final, adding extra pressure on current players to retain the title in Latin America.
