Ignacio Buse has captured attention this week at the Rio Open, achieving a remarkable feat as he progressed to the semi-finals following a stunning victory over former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini. The Peruvian’s journey in this ATP 500 event has been nothing short of impressive, as he defeated Berrettini with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in a match that tested both players due to variable conditions impacted by rain.
Buse, who is just 21 years old, demonstrated resilience and skill, particularly in the final set where he weathered the storm after facing a few interruptions. “The conditions are sometimes fast, sometimes slow. You never know. But it was a difficult match, but I’m happy I managed it in a good way,” Buse remarked post-match. The young talent, who experienced a minor scare when he let slip two match points while serving at 5-2 in the third, ultimately clinched victory after two hours and 19 minutes of play.
Looking ahead, Buse will meet Alejandro Tabilo in a bid for a place in the finals. Tabilo secured his spot after a hard-fought battle against Argentina’s Thiago Augustin Tirante, winning 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-1 in a match lasting nearly three hours.
On the opposite side of the draw, eighth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry celebrated his 100th tour-level win by defeating Lucky Loser Jaime Faria with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4. The Argentine showcased strong defense, managing to save all five break points he faced in the initial set. “It was a tough tie-break. I played nicely in the end in the tie-break. In the second set, I think I played better than the first one,” Etcheverry reflected after his victory.
Etcheverry’s next challenge will be against the Czech player Vit Kopriva, who advanced to the semi-finals with a solid 6-4, 6-4 win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Kopriva’s performance was particularly standout, as he did not face a single breakpoint throughout the match, marking a return to the semi-finals for the first time in five years.
As the tournament progresses, the stage is set for exciting matchups, with Buse and Tabilo poised to clash while Etcheverry takes on Kopriva in the quest for a coveted spot in the final.
