Buse Continues Magical Week and Reaches Rio Open Semifinals; Fonseca and Melo Seek Doubles Final
- Feb 19
- 5 min read
The Rio Open presented by Claro will have at least one South American finalist for the third consecutive year after Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, Peru’s Ignacio Buse, Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry, and Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva all secured semifinal spots. The finalists will be determined this Saturday, which begins with Brazilians competing in doubles, as João Fonseca and Marcelo Melo aim for a place in the title match.
After dominant victories in the previous two rounds, Fonseca and Melo face the German duo Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner starting at 2:30 PM at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. Meanwhile, on Court 1, Germany’s Constantin Frantzen and the Netherlands’ Robin Haase will face Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi and France’s Manuel Guinard.
The singles title race has featured a major surprise in young Peruvian Ignacio Buse, who continued his magical week by defeating another of the tournament’s top stars, Italian Matteo Berrettini, this Friday to reach the first ATP 500 semifinal of his career.
Once again in a three-set match, as he had done against Brazilians Igor Marcondes and João Fonseca, Buse repeated the feat against the former world No. 6, winning 6/3, 2/6, 6/3 in 2 hours and 19 minutes in a match interrupted multiple times by rain on Guga Kuerten Center Court.
"It was a bit of an unusual match because of how many times we stopped. I think I started playing really well. We know his biggest weapon is the serve, so I tried to handle that as best as possible every game. I think we had a very good game plan today, so I’m happy about that," said Buse.
Tabilo wins longest match of this edition and advances to semifinals
The former top-10 junior will face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in an all-South American semifinal this Saturday. Tabilo defeated Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 2-1, with scores of 7/6(2), 6/7(6), 6/1 in 2 hours and 52 minutes, the longest match of this year’s Rio Open.
After the victory, Tabilo highlighted the support he received from Brazilian fans.
"The Brazilians were chanting every point, they were there the whole time. At every changeover, I felt that energy. In the third set, I was a bit low on energy and tired, but they helped me a lot and I finished strong," said the Chilean.
Etcheverry and Kopriva battle for place in singles final
The other singles semifinal, beginning at 5:00 PM, will feature Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry, the No. 8 seed, and Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva, both of whom advanced without losing a set in their quarterfinal matches on Friday afternoon.
Kopriva defeated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6/4, 6/4 in 1 hour and 37 minutes to reach his first ATP semifinal in five years. His previous semifinal appearance came in Gstaad, Switzerland, in 2001, where he lost to Norway’s Casper Ruud.
"I’m super happy. I didn’t even think about playing a semifinal here, so I’m very happy with my level and my game today. I tried to stay focused throughout the match. In the second set, I was a bit tired and made some mistakes, but fortunately he did too. I was meant to be the winner today," said the Czech player.
The only seeded player remaining in the Rio Open draw, Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry reached his first semifinal at the tournament by defeating Portugal’s Jaime Faria 7/6(4), 6/4 in 2 hours and 3 minutes, marking his 100th ATP tour victory.
The Argentine enters the semifinal aware of Kopriva’s success against fellow Argentines this week.
"I think he’s been beating Argentines convincingly. He beat Burruchaga and other players who are obviously very strong on this surface. He’s always tough when he plays well. I know more or less his strategy and how he plays, and we’ll see how to face him," said Etcheverry.
Martin de la Puente wins second Wheelchair Tennis Elite title at Rio Open
Spain’s Martin de la Puente won his second Wheelchair Tennis Elite title at the Rio Open this Friday, in a rematch of the Australian Open wheelchair tennis final.
Two of the best wheelchair tennis players in the world, Japan’s Tokito Oda, the world No. 1, and Spain’s Martin de la Puente, ranked No. 3, faced off in a competitive match on Court 2 at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
The Spaniard, who had finished runner-up in Australia earlier this year, prevailed this time 2-1, with scores of 7/6(4), 6/7(2), 10-7.
This Saturday, wheelchair tennis stars return to the Rio Open for a doubles exhibition featuring Martin de la Puente and Brazil’s Daniel Rodrigues against Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez and Tokito Oda.
Results – Friday, February 20
Singles – Quarterfinals
[8] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) def. [LL] Jaime Faria (POR) – 7/6(4), 6/4
Ignacio Buse (PER) def. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) – 6/3, 2/6, 6/3
Vit Kopriva (CZE) def. Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) – 6/4, 6/4
Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) def. Thiago Agustin Tirante (ARG) – 7/6(2), 6/7(6), 6/1
Doubles – Quarterfinals
Constantin Frantzen (GER) / Robin Haase (NED) def. [1] Sadio Doumbia (FRA) / Fabien Reboul (FRA) – 6/2, 7/6(5)
[3] Guido Andreozzi (ARG) / Manuel Guinard (FRA) def. [WC] Felipe Meligeni Alves (BRA) / Marcelo Zormann (BRA) – 6/3, 7/6(4)
Wheelchair Tennis Elite – Final
Martin de la Puente (ESP) def. [1] Tokito Oda (JPN) – 7/6(4), 6/7(1), 10-7
Schedule – Saturday, February 21
Guga Kuerten Court – starting at 12:30 PM
Jakob Schnaitter (GER) / Mark Wallner (GER) vs João Fonseca (BRA) / Marcelo Melo (BRA)
Not before 3:00 PM
[8] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) vs Vit Kopriva (CZE)
Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) vs Ignacio Buse (PER)
Court 1 – starting at 1:30 PM
Constantin Frantzen (GER) / Robin Haase (NED) vs [3] Guido Andreozzi (ARG) / Manuel Guinard (FRA)
Martin de la Puente (ESP) / Daniel Rodrigues (BRA) vs Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) / Tokito Oda (JPN)
About the Rio Open
The Rio Open presented by Claro is the most important tennis tournament in South America. Held annually at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro, the event brings together top players from around the world and attracts more than 65,000 fans per edition over nine days, generating approximately US$ 38 million for the local economy and creating over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Broadcast live to more than 140 countries, the tournament reinforces Rio’s image as a global sports and entertainment destination. Committed to sustainability, diversity, and social inclusion, the event has been carbon neutral since 2020, recognized by the United Nations, and promotes initiatives through the Rio Open Ace program, benefiting children and young people through sports.
More about Rio Open 2026
Rio Open 2026 is sponsored by Claro (title sponsor), XP, Mubadala, Shell, BetNacional, Black Princess, Engie, Emirates, and Zurich. Supporting partners include Rolex, KIA, Ademicon, Seara Gourmet, EMS Farmacêutica, Alubar, Wellhub, B3, Star+, Disney Cruise Line, White Martins, Rede D’Or, Tegra Incorporadora, IBMEC, Café Melitta, PremieRpet, Zetaflex, Shopping Leblon, ALLOS, Magnum Ice Cream, Copa Energia, and Grey Goose.
Fila is the official apparel supplier, and Wilson provides the official tournament balls. Worldwine supplies the official wines and sparkling wines, while Lider provides furniture for hospitality areas including Corcovado Club, Pedra da Gávea Space, and Players Lounge.
SporTV is the official broadcaster, airing all Center Court matches in Brazil and internationally via ATP Media. The tournament is supported by Brazil’s Federal Sports Incentive Law and the State Sports Incentive Law of Rio de Janeiro.
The Rio Open is promoted by IMM and organized by the ICT – Instituto Carioca de Tênis.