• Taylor did not have many complications to overcome Shapovalov and in the quarterfinals, Fritz will face Frances Tiafoe.

Acapulco, March 1st – While the Mexican fans at the GNP Seguros Arena, the new home of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC were rubbing their hands in anticipation of a long match between North Americans, Taylor Fritz had other plans. The American took advantage of a disconnected version of Canadian Denis Shapovalov to eliminate him in straight sets.

The Canadian’s start was promising, losing only one of his first nine points on serve. However, after Fritz’s first break came, Shapovalov faded on the court.

Taylor, however remained always focused on the match. During the whole night he only lost one point with his first serve and was decisive from the back of the court.

Fritz’s only slip came when he served for the match the first time. Shapovalov tried to buy himself more time, took advantage of a couple of Taylor’s errors and managed to get a break before going down.

In the end, Fritz sealed a double 6-4 and qualified to the quarterfinals of the Acapulco Open 500 where he seeks the title after falling just short in the 2020 season. In the quarterfinals he will face his compatriot Frances Tiafoe, whom he has defeated the last five times they played each other. 

Tiafoe overcame Spaniard Feliciano López to advance.

• The Japanese qualifier scores one of the biggest wins of his career.
• Casper Ruud still can’t get past a second round this season

Acapulco, March 1st – Japan’s Taro Daniel scored his first victory against a Top 10 player by surprisingly defeating second-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) after almost three hours of play in the second round of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC.

Ruud had taken an early lead in the first set, 3-0, but then errors began to creep in. Daniel regained the break and when Casper was serving to secure the tiebreak, the Japanese broke to secure the first set.

The Norwegian seemed to adjust what was necessary to return to his best version. He never gave up his serve again and broke Daniel on a couple of occasions to send the match to a definitive third set, just like his first round match against Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi.

In the third set, the match went to a tiebreaker, although Taro Daniel had to save two match points with his serve. Ruud could not capitalize the options he generated in the return and kept the Japanese alive with his errors.

The final tiebreak was similar to the set that preceded it, as there were no mini breaks until it was Ruud’s turn to save a match point. With a new error, he left the ball in the net, handing the victory to a fierce and dreamy Taro Daniel.

The Japanese player arrived in Acapulco to play in the qualifying round, and now he will have the opportunity to reach the semifinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC. Taro Daniel’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be Alex De Minaur, who eliminated Jacopo Berrettini.

• The Spaniard was defeated by Frances Tiafoe and thus said goodbye to the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC.

Acapulco, March 1st – A farewell announced the beginning of Feliciano López’s farewell tour as a professional player suffered its first setback after the Spaniard was defeated in the second round of the Acapulco Open 500 by American (US) Frances Tiafoe (No. 15), who won 6-2, 7-6 (6).

Ninety minutes of match were necessary for the American, who this year arrived with his best level in Acapulco, to defeat the still doubles champion in what was his last participation in the Mexican tournament. Last year, Feliciano López announced his upcoming retirement at the age of 41, so a quick stop at one of his favorite events throughout the season was a must.

“It was an exciting match, I had a bad start but I really enjoyed the second set, I think I was close to turn it around and go to a third set. The atmosphere was spectacular from the first minute, the crowd was great, the court was full from the moment we entered. That’s what we play tennis for, so they keep a memory of that day when they watch a certain match,” he began by saying in his last press conference in Mexico after the defeat.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience everything that has happened here since I arrived, it’s the best way to say goodbye playing against the best in the world and being competitive, enjoying it. At times I played at a good level against a player who is one of the best in the world today. I hadn’t played at this level for a long time. I was uncertain about how my body and my tennis would respond, but the feelings good,” added the Spaniard.

As one of the most consistent tennis players every year in Acapulco, Feliciano López has been able to witness every detail of the growth of the ATP 500 tournament and about the XXX anniversary he confessed why it´s the best tournament in Latin America.

 “The biggest example is the stadium we are in, it wouldn’t have happened without 30 years of work. The change of surface in my opinion, gave it a plus to be able to have the tournament they have today. It´s the best tournament of the Latin American tour by far, that is the reality. They are the best in the world. I am lucky enough to work in a tournament as well and I know how difficult it is, that’s why every year they have the tournament they have, everybody wants to be here”, he declared.

Regarding his best memories in Mexican territory he assures that the hospitality of the Mexicans was key for him to come back every year. “The personal lesson is the hospitality of the people in Mexico, I can say that they are the most affectionate people, at least with the Spaniards. The treatment is exceptional in every way, that’s why I like this country so much and so many things. On the sporting side I have great memories, maybe winning last year with Stefanos, we had a great week.”

Feliciano also shares what are his plans for a future, after tennis. “My life changed since my son was born two years ago, like any family. I’ve been able to travel, continue playing together with him and my wife. It has been a nice stage to see your son in the stands applauding, I feel lucky. I will have more time to dedicate to the Madrid tournament. I hope to continue playing tennis at senior level, it has been my passion, I love it, I’m going to miss it, but thank God I´ve had a very nice life” he concluded.

• The American debuted thi s week as number 5 in the ATP ranking, his best ranking so far.

Acapulco, February 28th – To name the last U.S. player to be No. 1 in the ATP rankings one must go back to November 2003, almost 20 years ago now, when in November 2003 Andy Roddick reached the summit of tennis.

Roddick’s stay was for a mere 13 weeks, until February 2004 when Swiss Roger Federer broke through and stayed for four and a half years, a total of 237 weeks.
Before Roddick, his compatriots Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras dominated tennis and previously not as many years went by without the United States having the best tennis player in the world.

But things have changed and now the goal seems within reach of the most advantaged, Taylor Fritz, who at 25 is the highest ranked among a group of 14 U.S. players in the Top-100. “This season my goals are to be in the Top 5, also reach a Grand Slam final,” said Fritz in an interview with the organization.
Without any pressure to achieve it, but to improve, Fritz said that “maybe I see the ranking too much and every time you go up (positions) it always feels good, I hope I have good results this year,” he added.

For now, in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, Fritz gave a strike of authority in the first day of the tournament on Monday by eliminating his compatriot, the veteran John Isner, and this Wednesday he will face Denis Shapovalov, from Canada, for the quarterfinals.

In addition to Fritz, 10 players entered the main draw of the Acapulco Open 500 from the United States: Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Mackenzie McDonald, Brandon Nakashima, Marcos Giron, Michael Mmoh, John Isner, Christopher Eubanks, Nick Chappell, Ben Shelton and J.J. Wolf.

On the matter spoke Giron, who had to be eliminated in the first round with Michael Mmoh
“A lot of us looked up to Pete Sampras, Agassi and that golden generation, and I knew I was too young to understand that. That’s when I started to get interested in tennis. Also with Roddick and James Blake, they are all very inspiring. But I also think we are all very competitive,” Giron said.

The No. 69 ATP player noted that the United States is a very big country “so there are a lot of players and a lot of people who play tennis. For me it’s really exciting to see so many guys week in and week out doing well and it’s great to see them play.”

He highlighted the progress at the Australian Open by Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz “made it to the quarterfinals at a high level and I think we’re really getting there, hopefully the guys who are pushing will continue to support each other and yeah, I think we’re all excited for this year.”

• Ruud, Fritz, Rune and Tiafoe will try to make it into the top eight.

Acapulco, February 28th – Norwegian, Casper Ruud (No. 2), American Taylor Fritz (No. 3), Dane Holger Rune (No. 4) and American (US) Frances Tiafoe (No. 6) will be looking to advance from the second round to the quarterfinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC.

Ruud, who struggled to get past the first round after a three-set loss to Argentine Guido Andreozzi, will face Japan’s Daniel Taro, who comes from the qualifiers and is ready for any challenge.

Fritz, who also made it to the second round by beating fellow countryman John Isner in three sets, will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov on a much higher caliber match.

Rune, who struggled in three sets against American (US) Ben Shelton, will face the surprising Portuguese, Nuno Borges, recent champion of the Challenger of Monterrey, who will be looking for the upset. 

In a more attractive match, American (US) Frances Tiafoe will face veteran Spaniard Feliciano López, who´s playing his last AMT after announcing his upcoming retirement last December.

Both players have the sympathy of the Mexican crowd. López for his consistency in Mexico and Tiafoe for his dedication to the public.

Brothers, Matteo and Jacopo Berrettini will have their share of action being the highlight of the day. Matteo will face the Swedish, Elias Ymer, a somewhat “lucky” loser who has reached the second round of the tournament after beating the French Adrian Manarinno. 

Jacopo will face the Australian Alex de Minaur, who defeated the young Mexican Rodrigo Pacheco. 

Two matches complete the second round, the first between Americans (US) Mackenzie McDonald and Brandon Nakashima and the second with Tommy Paul, seventh favorite, facing Michael Mmoh. For this edition, players from the United States occupied 10 out of the 32 available spots.

• The Mexican had his first match at ATP 500 level and his second at tour level.
• De Minaur remains undefeated in first rounds this year

Acapulco, Mexico’s Rodrigo Pacheco was unable to pull off the surprise of the tournament against Australian Alex De Minaur. The Mexican was looking to reach the second round of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, but was clearly outplayed by his rival.

Rodrigo’s excitement was visible before jumping into the GNP Seguros Arena. His debut at ATP 500 level took place in front of a crowd that fully supported him even though De Minaur was the clear favorite.

Alex quickly showed the difference in level. He started breaking the Mexican’s serve and only allowed him to play one game during the first set. In just under 40 minutes, De Minaur took the lead.

Pacheco maintained his fighting spirit at all times despite being clearly outplayed. Even so, the Mexican left several exchanges in which he emerged victorious, as the clear promise he still is.

Rodrigo even had a break point in his favor, but was unable to make it happen. On the contrary, he gave up his serve on a couple of occasions, the last of them for De Minaur to seal the victory with a 6-1 and 6-2 score after one hour and 16 minutes.

The Australian’s next opponent will be the surprising Jacobo Berrettini, who came from the qualifying round and emerged victorious from his match against Oscar Otte thanks to the retirement of his German opponent in the third set.