• This is the first time an Italian has won in Acapulco, and on Monday he will be ranked 15th in the world.

Acapulco, February 28, 2026.- Flavio Cobolli was crowned champion of the Telcel Mexican Open presented by HSBC and became the first Italian to win the ATP 500 title in Acapulco, defeating American Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4), 6-4. 

The title is the third in Cobolli’s career after Hamburg, also an ATP 500, and Bucharest in 2025.

Cobolli, who will be ranked 15th in the world on Monday, showed grit and courage on the court, while Tiafoe tried to come back at every turn, saving big points, but it wasn’t enough and he fell just short. 

Tiafoe and Cobolli had faced each other twice before on the ATP Tour, with the American winning both times, the first in Delray Beach and the second in Washington. 

The Italian took the lead and went up 3-2, taking advantage of his powerful serve. However, Tiafoe did not give up and put more pressure on the net, managing to tie the game at 4-4. 

As the first set progressed, the crowd began to connect with Cobolli, who took a 5-4 lead, but the “Big Foe” kept pushing and tied it at 5-5. The match went to a tiebreak, which the Florence native won 7-6(4). 

The second set also started very evenly, with Tiafoe taking the lead, but Cobolli immediately responded, and so it went until the Italian pulled ahead 4-2 after a break, but the “Big Foe” did not give up and broke back to tie the game at 4-4. 

In the final stretch of the set, Cobolli was more accurate with his forehand and sealed the deal with an ace to be crowned champion of the Mexican tournament. 

Cobolli sealed his victory with 10 aces to Tiafoe’s six, with each player committing 28 unforced errors and 33 winners for the Italian and 20 for the American. 

With this result, Cobolli beats Tiafoe for the first time on the circuit. For his part, the American will move up six places on Monday, rising from 28th to 22nd in the world in the ATP rankings. 

“Thank you all for your support during the tournament. It’s my first title and I want to thank my team and sponsors. I’m very happy to be here in Acapulco and I’ll see you all next year,” said the Italian. 

“I played a perfect match. I knew when I was hitting the ball differently. I couldn’t lose three times to a player (Frances Tiafoe). The court helped me, it was luck and my own courage. I don’t think I’ve changed Italy’s history; they have many achievements. A hug for my team,” Flavio stated at a press conference.