Tomás Etcheverry’s run at the Australian Open came to an end in the third round following a closely contested defeat against world No. 10 Alexander Bublik. Despite a strong performance from the Argentine, the match concluded with a 7–6 (4), 7–6 (5), 6–4 victory for the Kazakh player after two hours and 37 minutes of play. As a result, Francisco Cerúndolo remains the only Argentine competitor still active in the tournament.
Dita Alangkara – AP
The opening set was marked by consistency from both players, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage. Etcheverry had a set point in the ninth game, but Bublik escaped the danger with a well-placed serve. Bublik’s effectiveness on first serve—winning an exceptionally high percentage of points—proved decisive, as a single mini-break in the tie-break was enough to secure the set.
A similar pattern unfolded in the second set, where parity once again defined the contest. Although Etcheverry generated two break-point opportunities, Bublik relied heavily on his serve to neutralize the threat and push the set into another tie-break. Etcheverry mounted a brief comeback after trailing 3–5, capitalizing on a double fault and leveling the score with a backhand passing shot. However, Bublik regained control at 5–5 and closed the set with an ace.
Before the start of the third set, Etcheverry requested a medical timeout and left the court to receive treatment for discomfort in his left leg. Upon resumption, Bublik broke serve for the first time in the match, gaining a critical advantage. From that moment onward, the Kazakh player dictated play, incorporating drop shots more frequently to exploit his opponent’s reduced mobility and fatigue.
Bublik sealed the victory with a forehand winner following a weak return from Etcheverry. After the match, he reflected on his recent development as a player, emphasizing a more mature and disciplined approach to competition and a stronger commitment to fighting for every point.
With the win, Bublik advanced to face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, in a match for a place in the quarterfinals. Although de Minaur leads their head-to-head record, Bublik has won their two most recent encounters.
Despite the defeat, Etcheverry concluded a positive campaign in Melbourne. He reached the third round of the Australian Open for the second time in his career and is projected to return to the ATP Top 60 rankings. Following his early-season commitments, the Argentine will shift his focus to the South American clay-court swing, where he will have opportunities to further improve his ranking.