Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018.- Stefanie Voegele won over the eighth seed of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, in two sets (6-2, 7-5) she got a ticket to the second round by defeating Tatjana Maria.

The difference in rankings was notorious but this was not a factor on the match.

However, Maria was able to keep her service only twice in the first set, which gave her confidence for the rest of the match. Voegele did not miss the opportunity and closed the match.

In the next round she will face Maria Sakkari, who in turn won over Lara Arruabarrena with a score of 6-3 and 7-6 (1).

Sakkari was very consistent with her first with 70 percent effectiveness. With this result improves the one obtained in 2016 in Acapulco, when he was fired in the first round.

In another match the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia eliminated Heather Watson with a score of 7-5, 4-6 and 6-1, which places her as the rival to Kristina Mladenovic, second seed of the tournament. This was the first confrontation between the two. Maia, 21, and left-handed game, surprised Watson, who had more experience in Acapulco, with four prior participations.

The Brazilian reached the second round of Australian Open this year, where she lost to Karolina Pliskova.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27.- Diego Schwartzman keeps his winning streak and won the first round at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, against Fernando Verdasco by 6-2, 6-4, in 67 minutes of play at Pegaso Stadium.

It is the second victory of Schwartzman over Verdasco in just three days, as the Argentine won the final of Rio de Janeiro, which both starred last Sunday.

They both arrived in the same conditions, something that helped him, Schwartzman acknowledged.

“Luckily I played well, It was tiered flight, I think I had a bit of luck in the draw, because Fernando and I compete in similar conditions. Fortunately, I was able to play a little better than him and I took advantage of the opportunities I had”, he explained after the game.

Diego started with a break and he took advantage, which he would not lose anymore and that allowed him to handle the match.

With this victory the Argentine put his mark in 11-4 so far this season, and in 1-1 at Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC. “In 2013 I lost in the first round with Rafa (Nadal), it’s a shame that he was gone this time, now he had to be replaced”, he added.

Currently in place 18 of the ranking, Diego must face in the second round, Ryan Harrison, rank 60 and who won over John Isner, eighth seed.

About the match he sai, “he’s been playing well, he pushed Isner, that was a surprise and the next game is going to be very complicated”.

He said that any player always dreams of reaching as far as possible, “but you do not know when that will be or what might happen on the road, as I got better I believed more in myself, I’m doing things well, but I have to work hard to stay here”.

Kokkinakis also advances, he took advantage of the wild card given by the organization and qualified for the second round by winning over Kazakh Alexander Bublik in two, 6-4 6-3 in 68 minutes.

For Kokkinakis, a finalist at Los Cabos tournament last august, who was also invited also, this is his second ATP tour event, last week he was at a Challenger in Morelos, where he reached to the semifinals.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 2, 2018.- Ernesto Escobedo starred the second surprise of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC. Neto left out fourth seed, Jack Sock with in two, 7-5 7-6 (3).

86 minutes of a closed match between the players, they faced for the first time in the ATP circuit.

“I really like playing here, feels like home,” said Escobedo, who´s parents are from Zacatecas and was at Los Cabos tournament last August. “I feel very proud to be able to play in this country and very comfortable in these conditions, I think that after this I can face anyone”, said Ernesto.

Escobedo entered the tournament through the qualy and showed that the previous matches helped him adapt. Sock, who received wild card, repeated the result of last year, when he was also left out in the first round of the tournament.

The match was closed, and Escobedo took the best part in the first set, before the bewilderment of a Sock that this year has a record of 1-3 and is ranked as the tenth in the world.

In the next round, Escobedo face Hyeon Chung, semifinalist at Australian Open, who won against Donald Young 7-6 (5) and 6-1 on court 4.

Chung’s first game in Acapulco was a success. The Asian saved 5 out of 8 break points throughout the game and after struggling to keep the first set, he easily defined the second, in which Young could only win one game.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27.- Renata Zarazúa’s face was of disbelief. The Mexican seemed a little surprised by what she had just achieved. But it was true, she had a place in the second round of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, after eliminating the Czech Kristyna Pliskova in two, 6-3 6-4.

Days before, Renata, told her desire to improve her tennis, and yesterday that work paid off. Seventy-seven minutes were needed to get her ticket to the next round.

“My strategy was to make her play one more ball because yesterday (Monday) I played against her in doubles and I realized that she loses her patience very quickly. I feel very happy that my family is with me, sharin this moment”, said the Mexican.

Grand Satnd Caliente was the place where Renata summoned thousands of fans who pushed her to do her best, she showed security and took Pliskova’s serve early. Pliskova could not find a way to nullify Renata, who remained calmed all the time.

In the second set she remained in focus. Convinced that the match was hers. Zarazúa could not close the game with the 5- 3 advantage she had. At times the nerves showed in her face.

“In the end I got nervous and started making mistakes that I had not done before. This is my biggest victory so far, last year I was eager to compete and win here, this tournament is the most important in my preseason, “said the 20-year-old.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018.- Juan Martin Del Potro, 9 ATP, advanced without any problems to the second round of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, beating in two, 6-1 6-2, the German Mischa Zverev

“I try to go from less to more, I have to go step by step and play better, I could break his serve several times, that was the key. Playing with a big crowd is something that I enjoy to the fullest”, said the Olympic runner-up of Rio de Janeiro 2016.

Del Potro had a great start, he did not gave his rival opportunities, he even got two breaks that allowed him to close the set with a convincing 6-1 in only half an hour of play.

For the second set, a break in the sixth game put the German back in the match, but soon Del Potro kept the distance on the scoreboard.

Juan Martin only required 61 minutes of play to add his second victory against the German and remain in the dispute for the title of the, event that celebrates its XXV anniversary.

A year ago, the Argentine was eliminated in the second round by Novak Djokovic, but this time the picture looks more encouraging after the retirement of Rafael Nadal, as well as the elimination of the Sam Querrey.

The so-called Torre de Tandil, will play in the second round against David Ferrer, who won without any problems to the Russian Andrey Rublev, 6-4 and 6-3.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018. The King falls. The Australian Matthew Ebden surprised in the first round of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, after eliminating the champion of the last year’s edition, Sam Querrey, in three (3-6, 6-1,7-6).

The 30-year-old tennis player rank 11 ATP had faced Ebden twice with a positive result on his behalf, but this match he lost the first set, he seemed nervous, but he was still defendind his crown.

During the game, Sam had nine aces, plus six double faults and 55 percent effectiveness in his first serve.

Querrey, the seventh seed of Acapulco’s tournament, used his strong forehand against Ebden during the 107 minutes of play. At the end of the meeting, Querry congratulated Ebden with a warm applause.

Matthew won his first victory against the American and delighted the Mexicans in the three sets that were played.

A year ago, Sam left out Rafael Nadal in the final. Today both players say goodbye to the contest, the first by defeat and the second due to injury in his right hip.

For the second round of the tournament, Ebden will face Jared Donalson, who previously won against Georgio Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018. Denis Shapovalov, 18, is still unstoppable on the courts. Now it was the turn of the Japanese Kei Nishikori, to say goodbye to the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, after falling in three 7-6, 6-3 and 6-1 on the first round of the tournament.

“I had a good start in the second set, the first one was a very difficult”, said Dennis.

One hour before the match, the fans were waiting at the court entrance to see Nishikori and Dennis Shapovalov in action.

Shapovalov, has faced big tennis stars like the Spanish Rafael Nadal. Now the Canadian did not miss the opportunity he had in Acapulco.

So far, the best performance of the Japanese on the floor of Acapulco was in 2015 edition, when he lost the final against David Ferrer.

Kei had not played since August 2017 due to an injured a tendon of the right hand, after making a serve during a training in Cincinnati.

Shapovalov will face Nikoloz Basilashvili in the next round.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018.- The first seed of the tournament and number two in the world suffered from a hip injury and it forced him to retire from the quarterfinals in Australian Open.

Nadal arrived to Acapulco with total willingness to play a good role, however, in a training session yesterday, he felt a pinch in the area of ​​the injury and the recommendation of his medical team was not to play, to avoid further complications.

Rafa explained that he still does not know the severity of the injury, “I believe that all the necessary cares had been taken, I arrived to Cozumel to work on my adaptation, but yesterday in the last training before starting the tournament, I noticed a puncture in the same area of ​​the problem I had in Australia, today in the morning I went to the resonance, I do not know what it is yet, but it is in a similar line to what happened in Australia, maybe it is a minor situation but the reality is that it is not clear yet and until it goes down a bit and the tests are done, it will not have the exact diagnose. The doctors told me that I cannot play because there is a risk of increasing the injury”.

The Mallorcan lamented the situation, “I’m sorry for me, I’m the most affected, then I feel sorry for the tournament and the fans, I appreciate your love, I know that it’s a difficult news but I had to communicate it this morning, and even though I’m not there, I know this is going to be a success”, Nadal said.

Raul Zurutuza, tournament director , regretted the event, but said that first of all is the player’s health. “I want to highlight his professionalism and enthusiasm every time he has come, he has participated enthusiastically with all the events and unfortunately he suffered an injury prior to the tournament”, he said.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 27, 2018.- A debut without major complications was the match of Sloane Stephens at Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC. The American scored a triumph over Pauline Parmentier, in two sets, 6-4, 6-0.

It is Sloan’s first victory this year, who showed better, despite having only played two tournaments so far this season- she was out in the first round on both.

The champion of Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, in 2016 and currently ranked 13 WTA, had previously faced Parmentier twice, with a 1-1 record.

Sloane took a while to adjust, but in the second set overcame Parmentier, who reached quarterfinals last year.

In the duel held at Pegaso Stadium, the American finished with a 65 percent effectiveness with her first service. Because Stephens kept the initiative during second set and won six games in a row to secure her ticket to second round.

Sloane’s next match will be against the Dutch Arantxa Rus, player from the qualification that eliminated Kayla Day in three 4-6, 6-1 and 6-0 after two hours match.

Rus in her previous participation (2009) in Acapulco, reached the quarterfinal, she lost against Arantxa Parra Santonja.

Acapulco, Guerrero, February 26, 2018.- At certain point he thought he would never play tennis again, due to wrist injuries that forced him to go through surgery in four occasions.

Delpo arrived to Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, as number nine in the world and sixth seed of the tournament. He is aware that his first match will be complicated – against Mischa Zverev – but he accepts the challenge.

“It will be a tough game, almost all the tournaments are like that, but I’m here to play and do my best, you have to be prepared to play better than last year. I have to raise my level, but at this moment in my life I prioritize my health and how I am physically, that’s why I enjoy every tournament and every time I can play tennis because I was close to never do it again. So the ranking will put me where I have to be. I’m happy to participate in Acapulco, “says Del Potro.

This year he will turn 30, joining players like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who are still under the spotlight, showing that quality is not a matter of age. For them, he has nothing but words of admiration.

“There is a lot of tennis players who continue to excel, it is admirable the desire they have, but each body and head is different. I started very young and I have many years in the circuit, and even though I’m only 30 years old the body feels all those previous year of tranning, I’ve gone through surgeries, my career is a little different from the rest, but as long as the body continues to hold me up and I feel like it, I’m going to keep doing, “he explains calmly.

“Those who are in the top ranks are very good players and also maintain a healthy life style, so while those two things are combined, it’s going to be difficult to get them down. But is also a matter of time, because the body is no longer like it used to be, and because of age and metabolism, young people are going to take them out of those places”.