Miomir Kecmanovic Stuns Alexander Zverev in Acapulco
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Key Takeaways
Acapulco, Feb 26 (NationPress) The top-seeded Alexander Zverev was eliminated from the Mexican Open after being defeated by Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic with scores of 6-3, (3)6-7, 7-6(4).
This marks the second time Zverev has faced an early exit in the round of 16 in Acapulco, following his triumph in the 2021 tournament.
Kecmanovic capitalized on Zverev's 34 unforced errors to secure victory with a tiebreak in the decisive third set, having initially taken the first set. The German player managed to equalize in the second set.
“I believe I was more aggressive when it counted. My serving was significantly better than usual, which made me pleased with how things played out today,” stated Kecmanovic. “Of course, he was the clear favorite, so I didn't feel under pressure, but it's essential to perform well during crucial moments, close out the match, and I'm grateful it worked out in my favor.”
This victory is notable as it marks Kecmanovic's first career win against a Top 5 player, improving his ATP Head-to-Head record against the 24-time tour-level champion to 2-2.
Advancing to the quarterfinals of the hard-court ATP 500, Kecmanovic will compete against France’s Terence Atmane.
In other match results, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli defeated Dalibor Svrcina with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Cobolli managed an impressive 86 percent (37/43) success rate on his first serve and successfully saved all six break points he encountered, as reported by ATP Stats.
“I truly enjoy playing in Mexico. I've been visiting for the past three years, and the Mexican fans bring vibrant energy both on the court and on social media. I'm very satisfied with my performance today. I’m uncertain about my next opponent, but I anticipate a challenging match regardless of their ranking,” remarked Cobolli.
In another match, Spain’s Rafael Jódar exited the tournament after losing to France’s Terence Atmane (No. 163) with scores of 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. The Madrid native struggled in the first set, committing 14 unforced errors and finding himself frequently leaving balls in the net.
Although he made a comeback in the second set, Jódar was unable to maintain momentum in the third set, where Atmane showcased his powerful left-handed play.