MIAMI – Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo secured a confidence-boosting victory: his first win over a top-20 player in six months, and at a major event such as the Miami Open. His connection with his new coach has been key to a positive and consistent start to the season.
Tabilo defeated Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round in Miami. He will next face a friend, young North American Alex Michelsen. A win there could set up potentially a meeting with Jannik Sinner in the round of 16.
“I had been looking for a win like this for a long time,” the 28-year-old told a small group of media, including CLAY.
“Now, with the new team, I’m happy to be able to get a victory like this. I think it helps a lot with confidence, with knowing that we’re doing things right, everything we’re working on,” said Tabilo. The three-time ATP champion recently began working with Argentine Germán Gaich, former coach of Italy’s Fabio Fognini and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Tabilo has been putting together a steady season, without trophies so far but with a strong Latin American swing: runner-up at the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro and quarter-finalist at the ATP 250 events in Buenos Aires and Santiago. Those tournaments served as a testing ground alongside Gaich. There was chemistry and positive results. There was no need to keep testing the partnership.
The plan to break through his previous ceiling under Gaich’s guidance — world No. 19, reached in July 2024 — is based on taking more risks and playing more aggressively: “With the team we always talk about taking more risks, going after the ball… and if it goes out, it goes out. Little by little we are making progress. Obviously it’s all a process, but I’m happy that it’s paying off here in Miami.”
5-4 15-15, serving for the win and… 😱
This winner by Tabilo got the 🇨🇱 flags flying at #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/EHBgVGZY2x
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 21, 2026
Against the Russian, Tabilo did not even face a single set point, a statistic that reflects the solidity of his most important shot. “We’ve changed a few things since Indian Wells, so I’m very happy it’s working. My first serve is putting me in a very good position to play points calmly, and it also brings confidence in return games, knowing you’re serving so well. I also feel I’m putting much more pressure with my second serve.”
With such positive sensations and such fluid tennis, the left-hander’s desire to become even more competitive continues to grow.
“It makes you want to get back on court, to keep working, to keep pushing. With the year we’ve had so far it’s incredible, and I want to keep pushing. I’m very motivated for what may come this year.”
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