Tabilo Upsets Defending Champion Fonseca in Buenos Aires Thriller
Alejandro Tabilo delivered a significant upset at the IEB+ Argentina Open on Wednesday, defeating defending champion Joao Fonseca in a dramatic second-round clash. The match, ending 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, highlighted Fonseca’s challenging start to the 2026 season.
Tabilo’s Path to Victory
Tabilo secured the win after a two-hour, 24-minute battle, capitalizing on Fonseca’s 33 unforced errors. Despite a break lead slipping away in the third set, Tabilo remained composed. He converted his third match point, demonstrating resilience and tactical awareness. “I was extremely connected with the team. They helped me through it all,” Tabilo stated, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. He also noted the need to be “very solid” against Fonseca’s aggressive play.
The Chilean’s performance was statistically strong, winning 77% of his first-serve points (40/52) and saving 57% of break points faced (4/7), according to Infosys ATP Stats. This victory marks Tabilo’s first Top-50 win on clay since his upset of Novak Djokovic at Monte-Carlo last April.
Fonseca’s Struggles and Future Outlook
Fonseca, the 2025 Buenos Aires champion, has faced setbacks in 2026, withdrawing from tournaments in Brisbane and Adelaide due to a lower back injury and experiencing an early exit at the Australian Open. He will look to regain his form at the upcoming ATP 500 event in Rio de Janeiro, his hometown.
Cerundolo and Etcheverry Advance
Top seed Francisco Cerundolo also progressed to the quarter-finals, defeating Hugo Dellien 6-0, 7-6(6) in a hard-fought match. Cerundolo demonstrated remarkable composure, saving eight set points in the second set, including a comeback from 3-6 in the tie-break. He will next face Vit Kopriva, who achieved a historic win by defeating Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-3, becoming the first Czech quarter-finalist in the tournament’s history.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry also secured his quarter-final spot, rallying past Roman Andres Burruchaga 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4. Etcheverry has now recorded 50 tour-level clay-court victories.
Navone and Nava Compete
Mariano Navone defeated Emilio Nava 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the second round.
FAQ
Q: Who won the match between Tabilo and Fonseca?
A: Alejandro Tabilo won the match against Joao Fonseca.
Q: What is Joao Fonseca’s ranking?
A: Joao Fonseca is ranked #33.
Q: Where will Fonseca compete next?
A: Fonseca will compete next at the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro.
Q: Who will Tabilo face in the quarter-finals?
A: Tabilo will face seventh seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the quarter-finals.
