Tiafoe claims second career title, defeating Etcheverry at Houston

It was a whirlwind weekend for Frances Tiafoe and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, as both had to play four matches across Saturday and Sunday due to three days of tournament-halting rain delays, but the pair showed little sign of fatigue as they battled valiantly beneath the lights at the River Oaks Country Club in a high-quality final.

In the end it was Tiafoe who had the better of the energy – and the play – as the American completed a hard-fought 7-6(1), 7-6(6) victory to claim his second ATP title and his first in over four years, since Delray Beach in 2018.

After rain halted play for three consecutive days during the week, Tiafoe and Etcheverry got down to business, winning round of 16 and quarter-final matches on Saturday before each won their semi-final early on Sunday.

After Tiafoe finished off his win on Sunday evening, Etcheverry joked about the experience as he received his runner-up trophy.

“It’s weird because yesterday morning I was in the second round and now I’m in the finals ceremony,” he said.

Etcheverry played solid baseline tennis throughout the contest, and Tiafoe matched him blow for blow and played the bigger points better. The American was ruthless on serve until the waning moments of the match, when he allowed Etcheverry to break him while he served for the title at 7-6, 5-4.

It was the first time Tiafoe was broken all tournament, but he did not let the setback halt his progress.

From there the contest became a tense battle of long baseline rallies, with Etcheverry holding a mini-break lead twice in the second set breaker before Tiafoe stormed back to win four of the final five points to close out his title run.

“What a match tonight,” Tiafoe said. “I don’t know you that well, but I know you real well after today. It was an absolute war and an unbelievable final.”

Tiafoe on the cusp of the top 10

It was a productive weekend for Tiafoe, who will rise to a career-high ranking of No 11 in the world as a result of his title. The American entered with a 21-30 lifetime record on clay, but proved he can be a threat on the slower surfaces with his shot tolerance and athleticism in the backcourt.

Etcheverry will rise to a career-high as well – the La Plata, Argentina native jumps 14 spots to No 59 in the world as he improves to 12-9 on the season with two ATP finals to his name.

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