Tomás Etcheverry defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in his Miami Open debut, achieving his best result in this Masters 1000. He will next face Spaniard Rafael Jódar. Fellow Argentines Thiago Tirante and Francisco Cerúndolo remain in the draw.
Tomás Etcheverry, ranked 32 in the ATP standings, overcame Zizou Bergs (45°) in two tie-breaks in the Miami Open's second round. The final score was 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), marking the Argentine's first third-round appearance in this event and his best performance in the season's second Masters 1000. The match proved challenging, with Etcheverry relying on defensive solidity despite fewer winners, committing just 22 unforced errors compared to Bergs' 46. In the first tie-break, a misjudged drop shot by Bergs handed Etcheverry the set point, converted via the Belgian's error. Etcheverry then led 5-1 in the second tie-break to seal victory. Awaiting him is 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jódar (103°), a rising Next Gen talent set to enter the Top 100 for the first time via this tournament. Among Argentines, Thiago Tirante (81°) meets Francisco Cerúndolo (19°) in an all-national matchup, while Sebastián Báez, Mariano Navone, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, and Francisco Comesaña have exited. The Argentine contingent shrinks, yet Etcheverry presses on at Hard Rock Stadium.
