The Australian Open finds itself without South Americans in singles: what is the outcome of the region’s tennis players in Melbourne

14 South American tennis players (men and women) competed in the Australian Open in singles. Important group, but which no longer has representatives in the race. The eliminations of Tomás Etcheverry (32nd ATP), Sebastian Báez (29th) and Beatriz Haddad Maia (12th WTA) closed the Latin stage for the singles of the first major of the year and now the hopes of the region are limited to the doubles and the junior and wheelchair categories.

With early farewells in some cases and memorable campaigns in others, the South American delegation bids farewell without representatives in the second week, something that has been repeated since 2020, when Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman reached the round of 16. The last time there was one in the quarter-finals? Del Potro in 2012.

Tomás Etcheverry, Sebastian Báez and Beatriz Haddad Maia are the South Americans who have gone the furthest at the Australian Open. All until the third round. In the case of the Argentines, their tormentors were two of the big favorites of the tournament.

The Chilean Open 2023 finalist had to face Novak Djokovic (1st) in a crowded Rod Laver and although he showed a good game (especially on serve), he could not do anything against the 24-time champion of the Grand Slam. Certainly, Etcheverry’s course in Melbourne is positioned as the second best major tournament he has achieved in his career, behind the quarter-finals obtained at Roland Garros 2023. In addition, He beat two experienced players on the circuit like Andy Murray (45th) and Gaël Monfils (76th).

Sebastián Báez, for his part, faced the Italian Jannik Sinner (4th) in the third round. , an extremely difficult rival, with the style that complicates the Argentine the most. Direct match of the finalist of the Masters at the end of the year, he reached the round of 16 without any problem: 6-0, 6-1 and 6-3 on the score.

For Beatriz Haddad Maia, however, there will be a thorn in that she will not be able to continue progressing in Australia. Tenth seed in the tournament, the Brazilian had to qualify for the second week, especially after her good performances at Roland Garros (semi-finals) and at Wimbledon (fourth round) last year. Anyway, continues to play women’s doubles , where he has already won two matches. His best performance in this category came in 2012, when he reached the final of the Australian Open.

It is clear that the participation of Nicolás Jarry, Christian Garin and Alejandro Tabilo was not enough to pass. With three eliminations in the first round, Chile found itself without representatives in the men’s singles. Of three, The only one to benefit from the support is the left-hander, who has just become New Zealand ATP champion. just 48 hours before their debut in Melbourne.

The situation became even more dramatic as all three matches reached the fifth set. Jarry’s was undoubtedly the most painful for three very clear reasons: he came top seed, he played against a player outside the top 100 and he served to win the match in the last set.

Eliminations that also affect to a certain extent the plans of Nicolás Massú, who was excited about the fact that the national representatives could play more days on the Australian cement, thinking that On February 3 and 4, they will play the Davis Cup series against Peru on this surface.

Even if the singles are over for Chile, there are still two Creole tennis players who will be in Melbourne. The first is Antonia Vergara who is the first national player to participate in the tournament in the junior category since Camila Silva in 2010. The other name, that of Alexander Cataldo double Parapan American medalist, who will compete in a wheelchair.