After Saturday rain postponed his semi-final match, the Argentine persevered through two matches on Sunday (local time) and eventually earned the ATP 500 title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is a dream come true for me. I was looking for a while for my first title. I\u2019ve been working so hard with my team and I can\u2019t believe it,\" said Etcheverry, who had previously lost three ATP Tour finals. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI just tried to give my 100 per cent. It was the final, the last match of the tournament, so I gave my 100 per cent and I think at the end, I have the prize,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Trailing Tabilo 3-6, 1-3, Etcheverry appeared physically spent, likely from completing his three-set semi-final against Vit Kopriva earlier in the day. But the 26-year-old, who in May 2024 was one point away from his first tour-level title in Lyon (l. Mpetshi Perricard), dug into his deepest reserves to earn a career milestone, ATP reports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Etcheverry, who earned his 100th tour-level match win on Friday, defeated Tabilo last week in the Buenos Aires quarter-finals and repeated that feat to extend his ATP Head-to-Head series lead to 2-0. Tabilo was aiming for his fourth tour-level crown and first at ATP 500 level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Up 18 places to No. 33 in the ATP Live Rankings, Etcheverry will return to the Top 40 for the first time since last February.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Etcheverry, who earned his 100th tour-level match win on Friday, defeated Tabilo last week in the Buenos Aires quarter-finals and repeated that feat to extend his ATP Head-to-Head series lead to 2-0. Tabilo was aiming for his fourth tour-level crown and first at ATP 500 level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was the first home trophy for 19-year-old Fonseca and the second consecutive title for 41-year-old Melo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n