Tomás Martín Echiberry has reached the quarter-finals of the French Open, becoming the only remaining Argentine in the tournament after his compatriot Francisco Cerúndolo was eliminated in a five-set match against sixth-seeded Holger Rune. The 23-year-old Echiberry triumphed over injured Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka with scores of 7-6, 6-0, and 6-1 on the Suzanne Lenglen court, marking his first appearance in the quarter-finals of a major tournament.
Echiberry, alongside Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in the women's competition, carries South America's dreams at Roland Garros. After his victory, he expressed, "I can't believe it. I am very grateful to everyone. I knew there were many Argentines here, and I want to thank them for their support. I cannot express how much I appreciate them. This is for you."
In a press conference, he added, "It will be difficult. I think Zverev has much more experience than I do, but I have positive feelings about playing against him. He plays incredible tennis, and I must focus on myself." Prior to the French Open, the world number 49 had only one victory in a major, which was at the Australian Open earlier this year, before reaching the finals in the Chile Open and Houston.
After British player Jack Draper withdrew in the first round, Echiberry defeated Australian Alex de Minaur and Croatian Borna Ćorić in Paris, and he will now face German Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.
