Buse from Perù and Tabilo from Chile set up historic Pacific Derby in Rio semifinals

A day of shifting sands and high drama at the Jockey Club Brasileiro has left the Rio Open with an unexpected semifinal lineup for an ATP 500, headlined by Peruvian sensation Ignacio Buse, Joao, Fonseca’s conqueror, and Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo.

The biggest shock of the tournament arrived late Friday night when 21-year-old Ignacio Buse continued his dream run by upsetting former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Buse, currently ranked world No 91, proved that his previous victory over home favorite Joao Fonseca was no fluke.

Against the experienced Italian, the Peruvian displayed a tactical maturity far beyond his years, absorbing Berrettini’s trademark power before striking back with clinical precision in the decider. Buse’s ability to remain composed in the “pressure cooker” of the Guga Kuerten court has become the story of the week, as he becomes the first Peruvian to reach an ATP 500 semifinal in the modern era.

Tabilo’s marathon

Standing in his way is Alejandro Tabilo, who emerged victorious from a grueling late-night “maratón” against Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante. In a match that tested the physical limits of both players, Tabilo secured a 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-1 win that finished in the early hours of Saturday morning.

After failing to convert a match point in the second set, the world No 68 showed immense mental fortitude to sweep through the third set in just 31 minutes. Tabilo’s path to the last four has been defined by his resilience, having already navigated three-set battles against Francesco Passaro and Emilio Nava earlier in the week.

Etcheverry’s 100th wins

The other half of the draw features eighth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the only remaining seeded player (No. 8) in the competition. The world No 51 reached his 100th ATP career victory on Friday by defeating Portugal’s Jaime Faria 7-6(4), 6-4. Etcheverry relied on his heavy first serve to extinguish the challenge of the 147th-ranked Faria, who had previously stunned Sebastian Baez.

“I was looking for this 100th victory. Now let’s go for 200,” Etcheverry told reporters after the match.

He will face Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva, who reached his first-ever ATP 500 semifinal by defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-4, 6-4. Kopriva, ranked No 87, played a remarkably clean match, maintaining high intensity despite admitting to feeling “a little tired” during the second set.

The Czech’s consistency has been the silent killer of the draw, having previously dispatched Roman Andres Burruchaga and Gustavo Heide without dropping a set.

With the top two top seeds, Francisco Cerundolo and Luciano Darderi, both eliminated earlier in the week, Rio is guaranteed a first-time champion on Sunday. All eyes now turn to the “Pacific Derby” between Buse and Tabilo, a matchup that ensures South American tennis will remain at the heart of the final weekend.

Rio Open Quarterfinals results

• A. Tabilo – T. Tirante: 7-6[2], 6[6]-7, 6-1
• I. Buse – M. Berrettini: 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
• T. Etcheverry (8) – J. Faria (LL): 7-6[4], 6-4
• V. Kopriva – J. Cerundolo: 6-4, 6-4

Rio Open Semifinals SCHEDULE

• A. Tabilo – I. Buse: Saturday (to be played)
• T. Etcheverry (8) – V. Kopriva: Saturday (to be played)