Davidovich Fokina and Machac Poised for Groundbreaking Mexican Open Finale
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Synopsis
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's incredible journey leads him to his first ATP Tour final at the Mexican Open, defeating Denis Shapovalov. He aims for his maiden title against Tomas Machac, who seeks to become a top player in Czech tennis history.
Key Takeaways
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina reaches his first ATP 500 final.
- Davidovich Fokina overcame Denis Shapovalov in a thrilling semi-final.
- Tomas Machac aims to secure his first ATP title.
- Machac could become the first Czech in the ATP Top 50 since 2018.
- Both finalists have shown remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.
Acapulco, March 1 (NationPress) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s incredible tenacity has brought him to the edge of securing his first ATP Tour title at the Mexican Open. The Spanish player, who previously survived four match points in the initial round against Mattia Bellucci, triumphed over a formidable Denis Shapovalov with scores of 7-6(3), 7-6(1) in an electrifying semi-final at the Arena GNP Seguros.
This victory marks Davidovich Fokina’s third ATP final and his inaugural appearance at the ATP 500 level. He is now just one match away from claiming his first career title, but he must first face Czech eighth seed Tomas Machac in the final showdown.
"The match was incredibly close," said Davidovich Fokina after his win. "Perhaps he deserved the first set more. I think I deserved the second. But ultimately, I didn’t lose my fighting spirit because I was prepared for anything."
Each set of the semi-final was a contest of shifting momentum, lasting over an hour. Davidovich Fokina had to rally from a challenging 1-4 deficit in the opening set and later thwarted Shapovalov’s chance to serve for the match at 5-3. His capacity to handle pressure shone through during the tie-breaks, where he showcased his finest tennis to clinch the straight-sets victory.
The defeat marked the end of Shapovalov’s eight-match winning streak, which included his title victory in Dallas last month, denying him the opportunity to secure his second trophy of the season. For Davidovich Fokina, this win also represented redemption after missing two championship points in Delray Beach earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Tomas Machac earned his spot in the final with a gritty 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Brandon Nakashima. The rising Czech star, participating in only his second ATP final after Geneva 2024, is on the brink of a significant career achievement. A victory would not only secure him his first ATP title but also make him the first Czech player to enter the ATP Top 50 since Tomas Berdych in 2018.
Machac becomes the second Czech finalist in the history of the Mexican Open, following Jiri Novak, who claimed the title in 1998. He also joins an elite group of Czech players who have reached ATP 500 finals, including Berdych, Radek Stepanek, and Jiri Vesely.
