French Open 2023: Tomas Etcheverry qualifies for his first Grand Slam quarter-final

For the sixth Grand Slam tournament of his career, Tomas Etcheverry, 23, qualified for his first quarter-final by winning three sets to zero against an injured Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6(8), 6-0, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lengle at the French Open 2023 on Monday.

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Before arriving at the French Open 2023, he had won only one major match, at the Australian Open in 2023, last January against Frenchman Grégoire Barrère. However, he reached his first two ATP Tour finals this season, at the Chile Open and the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston.  

"I can't believe it. I'm very grateful to everyone. I know there are a lot of Argentinians here and I want to thank them for the support they gave me. You don't know how much I appreciate it. This is for you." Etcheverry said after the match.

After the withdrawal of Briton Jack Draper in the first round, Etcheverry knocked out Australian Alex de Minaur and Croatian Borna Coric in the second and third rounds in Paris. To continue his superb career, the Argentinian will have to win the quarter against former world number two Alexander Zverev on Wednesday. This will be the first meeting between the two men on the ATP Tour. "It's going to be tough. I think Zverev is much more experienced than me, but I feel very good playing against him. I'm playing unbelievable tennis this week, and I just have to focus on my game". Etcheverry added.

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The first round was very close between the two men. Pure earthling, Etcheverry quickly took the lead, leading 4-2 after breaking Nishioka in the first game of the match. But the Japanese rebelled and won three consecutive games to take control of the first act (5-4). The two players were logically separated in the tie-break which, like the first round, was undecided until the end. The Argentinian got a first set point at 6 points to 5 before saving one in turn at 7 points to 6 for the Japanese. It was finally Etcheverry who had the last word, 10 points to 8, after an hour of play.

The 33rd player in the world then took a medical time-out at the change of sides. He received treatment at the level of the left adductor. For his part, Etcheverry did not allow himself to break his concentration by this interruption and continued his destruction. The Argentinian won his eleventh and then his twelfth game in a row to find himself 5-0 down in the third set.