Brandon Nakashima shined on the fourth day of the XXXII Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, reaching the semifinals after defeating Belgium's David Goffin. The match held at the Arena GNP Seguros lasted two hours and two minutes, with Nakashima showcasing impressive serving, hitting 12 aces and dominating the second set to secure victory with scores of 7-6(4), 6-2.
Despite starting the match with a service break, Nakashima displayed resilience, trading breaks with Goffin before taking the first set through a tiebreak, where he managed four mini-breaks. This victory marks Nakashima's first appearance in the quarterfinals at an ATP 500 event, setting him up for a challenging clash against the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac, who eliminated American Learner Tien.
Machac, ranked 25th globally, advanced by defeating Tien 6-3, 7-5. Tien's remarkable run, including his surprise win over Alexander Zverev, came to an end after 1 hour and 38 minutes on the court.
The tournament has also seen significant participation from Mexican players, bringing excitement to local fans. Mextenis, the organizing body, reported nearly 85% capacity for the finals weekend, as hotel occupancy rates are expected to reach 92% for the tournament period.
“Acapulco has rebounded after the natural disasters of 2023 and 2024, with about 15,000 rooms available now compared to just over 2,000 last year,” said José Antonio Fernández, Director of Operations, during his press conference. He expressed pride over four Mexican players reaching the quarterfinals: Rodrigo Pacheco, Santiago González, Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela, and Hans Hach Verdugo, marking this as the first time since 2011 for local athletes to perform at this level.
Rodrigo Pacheco has caught public attention, being the first Mexican to reach the quarterfinals since 1998. Following Casper Ruud’s withdrawal due to illness, Pacheco's advance is seen as historic. “I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible moment for Mexican tennis,” said Pacheco.
Unfortunately, several notable players had to withdraw from the tournament due to stomach illnesses, raising concerns among fans and organizers. Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, and Holger Rune were among the high-profile withdrawals, with each citing stomach issues. The situation unfolded rapidly during the third day of matches, disrupting the tournament's narrative.
“What happened is not unusual for tournaments,” noted Álvaro Falla, director of the Abierto Mexicano, emphasizing safety protocols were underway to investigate the cause of the illnesses. Following their withdrawals, speculation arose about possible food contamination, as confirmed cases of food poisoning were linked to Ruud. “This is something we definitely will look more thoroughly as we go forward,” Falla expressed, reassuring fans and participants.
While fans were initially disappointed by the absence of top stars, the lower-ranked players have seized their opportunities, with several entering later rounds. The resulting shift resulted not just from withdrawals, but also from lower seed success including the remarkable performances of young talents.
Despite the player setbacks, the tournament continues to produce exciting matches and significant engagement from fans, featuring off-court attractions such as Kids Day and expert discussions aimed at enhancing the local tennis culture. The attendance remained strong, with more than 12,000 people showing up early during the tournament’s first rounds.
The local Mextenis organization reported expectations of economic impact, with estimates exceeding 650 million pesos due to the influx of attendees supporting the event. This endorsement of Acapulco’s recovery post-hurricanes showcases the importance of the tournament not only for tennis but for the local economy.
Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the Abierto Mexicano, the message from the organizers remains steadfast: Acapulco is back on its feet, strong testimonials from athletes reflect their hope and commitment to return next year’s edition. “We hope to see these incredible players back again for the next tournament,” said Fernández, as both fans and contributors acknowledge the significance of this year’s historic event.
With new stars rising and unexpected champions possibly on the horizon, the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis has built anticipation as it approaches the final stages. The remaining matches promise to encapsulate thrilling upsets and displays of skill as the tournament stirs to find its new champions.