2026 Argentina Open: Etcheverry starts Buenos Aires campaign with the right foot

Argentine Tomás Etcheverry (ATP ranking 26) was the star of the 2026 Argentina Open’s first day competition, beating Italian Andrea Pellegrino at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis to book his spot in the second round. Etcheverry got off to a solid start. Confident with his serve and secure in his groundstrokes, the 26-year-old hardly put together a solid effort and took advantage of an aggressive but imprecise game by the Italian.  As the only Argentine to take the court as a favorite, Etcheverry felt the support of the fans from the get-go. “It’s always a very special feeling, playing here in Buenos Aires at the Lawn Tennis Club,” he said at the press conference. “To be part of this tournament and share it with the people who support me, receiving messages and bringing the tour here so they can see me enjoy what I do is wonderful.” Asked about what he needed to improve, he said the emotional aspect was key. “I’m working to have the confidence to be a bit more versatile, keep my opponent guessing, and understand how to play each stage of the match,” he said.  “I’m also working on my angles, improving my defense and pushing more. Everything can be improved.” Etcheverry is enjoying a solid start to the new year after a torrid 2025. In January, he reached the third round of the Australian Open before falling to Kazakh Alexander Bublik. “I think those are the things I have to improve to beat that kind of player, and start advancing further in tournaments. I’m working with my team to understand what’s missing,” he said. For Etcheverry, who’s yet to win a title at the ATP Tour-level, the absence of top-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti (5) from the tournament leaves it “wide open,” but that every player in the draw has a similar chance. “It’s good because that means we can make great things,” he said. “I wish it’s a long week for me, but I have to keep improving, playing better in the next match and take it one game at a time.” He’ll go up against the winner of Román Burruchaga v. Laslo Djere on Wednesday.  Action at the Guillermo Vilas Center Court came to a close late at night, as Czech Vit Kopriva (95) beat 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 Argentine Alex Barrena (180) in a tough, two-and-a-half-hour battle. Sour Buenos Aires main draw debut for Midón The tournament started under a scorching hot sun in the Argentine capital. Action started at midday, when Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien (world No. 167) took on Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur (64). It proved a fairly straightforward affair for the Bolivian, who found very little opposition and took the win 6-4, 6-1. He’ll go up against the No. 1-seeded Francisco Cerúndolo (19).  The first Argentine to take to court was 21-year-old Lautaro Midón (229). The youngster had come through the qualifiers and faced a steep challenge in Spain’s Pedro Martínez (94). The few fans in the stands made themselves heard as they pushed for the local and gave the Spaniard a tough time. Despite racing to a lead in the first set, the young Argentine was consistently overpowered by the Spaniard’s power, who took the win by 6-4, 6-1. He’ll now go up against the winner of Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Daniel Altmaier’s duel. It was a sour debut for Midón in the main draw of the tournament, who won the first Galperin Merit Scholarship after his performances in 2025, receiving US$60,000 to finance his 2026 season.