Etcheverry flies to SF in Lyon with the hope of Roland Garros | ATP Tour

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Etcheverry flies to SF in Lyon with the hope of Roland Garros

The Argentine is looking for his first ATP Tour trophy this week

May 23, 2024

Tomás Martín Etcheverry wants to lift his first ATP Tour trophy and the Open Parc de Lyon could be an unbeatable setting to achieve it. The Argentine reached his third semifinal of the season on French clay this Thursday, demonstrating that he is one of the players with the greatest recent progress in the locker room. If the lead-up to Roland Garros is an opportunity to sharpen his shots, the South American continues to advance the task in the heart of France.

The No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings resolved a demanding match, beating Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-1 to show a full candidacy for the tournament. The German, who on the previous day had surprised first seed Ugo Humbert, demanded a much tougher match than suggested by the score. Etcheverry had to push from the baseline, saving 14 of the 15 breaking balls faced before taking the victory.

“It has been a great battle. Yesterday, Dominik beat Humbert so he knew the level at which he is playing,” acknowledged the Argentine, who survived a day of overcast skies and slow conditions on clay. “He comes from making the third round in Rome, he brings great inertia on clay. I feel very happy to have achieved the victory. I hope I can continue at this level.”

After reaching the penultimate round in Houston and Barcelona this season, gaining experience in very important rounds, Tomás Martín will try to achieve his best result of the year.

The Etcheverry path will find good level challenges heading into the weekend. The one from La Plata will play the quarterfinals in Lyon against Luciano Darderi, one of the revelation tennis players of the 2024 season. The Italian, of Argentine origin and champion of his first ATP Tour in Córdoba in February, advanced to the round of eight better after the non-appearance of Arthur Rinderknech. It will be the first Lexus ATP Head2Head duel between the two.

Etcheverry’s push comes at a key moment of the season, on the eve of Roland Garros where he will protect his status as current quarterfinalist. Faced with the biggest Grand Slam result of his entire career, a great responsibility before arriving in Paris, the Argentine fuels his confidence by accumulating good matches on clay on French soil.

“I like playing in France. Last year I made the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, my highest result. It’s my favorite tournament. Next week I have to play there, so I need to get back to my best level to get back to the quarterfinals or go even further.”

In a week of personal improvement, if he lifts his first ATP Tour trophy in Lyon, Etcheverry could reach the Top 25 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time in his career.