Tomás Martín Etcheverry captured the ATP Rio de Janeiro title on Sunday with a hard-fought 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 comeback victory over Alejandro Tabilo in the final. The Argentine saved the match from the brink after dropping the opening set, firing 14 aces and 46 winners on his home clay surface to outlast the Chilean in a grueling two-hour-and-forty-minute battle.
Tabilo controlled the early proceedings with clean hitting and flawless serving, committing zero double faults while breaking twice to claim the first set. But Etcheverry found his range as the match progressed, unleashing his powerful forehand to seize the second-set tiebreak 7-3. Despite accumulating 51 unforced errors to Tabilo’s 30, the Argentine’s aggression paid dividends when it mattered most. He broke early in the decider and held firm, converting his third championship point to seal the title.
The victory marks Etcheverry’s first ATP title, achieved on South American clay in front of a partisan crowd. Tabilo, seeking his fifth career title, won more total points (108-104) but couldn’t find breaks when he needed them, going just 3-for-9 on break point opportunities in the final two sets.
Key Takeaways
- Etcheverry’s aggressive baseline game produced 46 winners, 13 more than Tabilo, but came at the cost of 51 unforced errors — 21 more than his opponent.
- The second-set tiebreak proved decisive: Etcheverry dominated 7-3, saving the match after losing the opener and giving himself a platform to close in the third.
- Despite winning four fewer total points (104-108), Etcheverry converted the crucial moments, breaking once in the final set while Tabilo failed to capitalize on three break chances in the decider.
- Both players struggled on second serve, with Etcheverry winning just 42% and Tabilo 49%, but the Argentine’s 14 aces helped him escape pressure situations throughout the match.
Player Analysis
Tomás Martín Etcheverry
The Argentine played with the fearlessness required to win on clay, hitting through his forehand even when the scoreboard told him to play safe. His 46 winners demonstrated the ceiling of his game, though the 51 unforced errors highlighted the tightrope he walked throughout. What separated him in this final was his ability to elevate in the biggest moments: he dominated the second-set tiebreak and held his nerve on serve in the third set, never facing a break point after moving ahead 2-0. His 14 aces — three more than Tabilo — provided crucial free points when rallies threatened to spiral.
Etcheverry’s first serve remained potent at 72% points won, and while his second serve was a vulnerability at just 42%, he protected it well enough to avoid disaster. The break point conversion told the story: both players went 3-for-9, but Etcheverry’s breaks came at the pivotal junctures in sets two and three.
Alejandro Tabilo
The Chilean played a cleaner match statistically — zero double faults, 30 unforced errors, and 108 total points won — but couldn’t quite impose himself in the decisive moments. His first set was exemplary, breaking twice and winning 70% of first-serve points to build early momentum. But as Etcheverry’s power game found its rhythm, Tabilo struggled to create the same openings. His 33 winners, while respectable, weren’t enough to offset the Argentine’s firepower, and his 11 aces couldn’t match Etcheverry’s serving edge.
Tabilo’s inability to convert break chances proved costly: after splitting the first six opportunities 3-3, he failed to break serve in the final set despite three looks. His 49% winning percentage on second serve kept him competitive, but he needed to push that number higher to exploit Etcheverry’s 42% vulnerability. In a match this tight, winning four more total points but losing the title underscores how brutally fine the margins can be.
Match Statistics
| Martin Etcheverry Tomas | Stat | A. Tabilo |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Aces | 11 |
| 4 | Double Faults | 0 |
| 64% | 1st Serve % | 65% |
| 72% | 1st Serve Points Won | 70% |
| 42% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 49% |
| 3/9 | Break Points Won | 3/9 |
| 46 | Winners | 33 |
| 51 | Unforced Errors | 30 |
| 104 | Total Points Won | 108 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Tomás Martín Etcheverry vs Alejandro Tabilo at the Rio de Janeiro 2026 final?
Tomás Martín Etcheverry defeated Alejandro Tabilo 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 to win the ATP Rio de Janeiro title on February 22, 2026.
How many aces did Etcheverry hit against Tabilo in the Rio final?
Etcheverry struck 14 aces compared to Tabilo’s 11, giving him a crucial serving advantage throughout the three-set match.
Who won the ATP Rio de Janeiro 2026 final?
Tomás Martín Etcheverry won the 2026 Rio de Janeiro final, claiming his first career ATP title with a comeback victory over Alejandro Tabilo.
How many winners did Etcheverry hit in the Rio final?
Etcheverry recorded 46 winners in the final, 13 more than Tabilo’s 33, though he also committed 51 unforced errors to Tabilo’s 30.
What’s Next
Etcheverry will carry significant momentum into the South American clay swing, while Tabilo will look to regroup ahead of the North American hard court season. Both players proved their mettle in a physical final that showcased the competitive depth on the ATP Tour.
Head-to-head history: A. Tabilo vs Martin Etcheverry Tomas.
