There’ll be at least two Argentine tennis stars in the 2026 Australian Open third round, as Francisco Cerúndolo (world No.20) and Tomás Etcheverry (61) won their respective games on Tuesday. 

They were the only positives for the day, as Thiago Tirante and Francisco Comesaña were unable to progress.

Cerúndolo was the first to seal his ticket for the next round. Argentina’s top ranked men’s player completed the job with flying colors, steamrolling Bosnian Damir Dzumhur (66) 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, in a 1 hour and 37 minute match.

“I’m happy, I felt comfortable in the game,” Cerúndolo told the press after the match. “Apart from having my serve broken at the start, I was playing well. It was a tough match and I pulled it off with great conviction. Right now I don’t want to tinker with anything, I’m just looking forward to resting with these good feelings.”

It’ll be the third time the 27-year-old reaches the third round in Melbourne, as he did in 2023 and 2025.

His next rival will be another heavy........

© Buenos Aires Herald