Buenos Aires, Feb 10 || Argentine seventh seed Tomas Etcheverry progressed to the Argentina Open round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino.
The Argentine, competing in the main draw in Buenos Aires for the fifth consecutive time, won 85 percent of points on his first serve and hit seven aces to take the match in an hour and 39 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
World No. 145 Pellegrino struggled for rhythm on his serve and committed 22 unforced errors.
"It was an incredible match. Playing here in Buenos Aires in front of my people is super special," he said. "I have a different energy when I play here and I'm super happy to get the first victory. I am looking forward for a long week here.
The two-time quarter-finalist will next face Laslo Djere or fellow Argentine Roman Andres Burruchaga.
In other action on the opening day of the tournament, 2025 semi-finalist Pedro Martinez cruised past Argentine qualifier Lautaro Midon 6-4, 6-1, earning his 50th tour-level clay-court win. The Spaniard saved 80 per cent (4/5) of the break points he faced.