ACAPULCO, Mexico — Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the 48th-ranked player on the ATP Tour, continues his impressive run at the 2025 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, advancing to the tournament's semifinals after defeating local hero Rodrigo Pacheco with identical sets of 6-2.
Davidovich’s victory marks another step forward as he vies for his second consecutive ATP finals appearance, seeking to build on the momentum he gained after reaching the final at Delray Beach just weeks prior. "I have great confidence in my game, I felt comfortable and I’m happy. Now I’m ready to face Denis [Shapovalov], he is playing very well; we will enjoy this semifinal," expressed Davidovich after his match.
The semifinal matchup against Shapovalov, who is currently ranked 32nd and is seeded ninth, promises to be thrilling. Shapovalov reached the semifinals after overcoming American Marcos Giron with scores of 4-6, 6-3, and 6-2. Davidovich's path to the semifinals included powerful victories over Italian Mattia Bellucci and American Frances Tiafoe, showcasing his growing prowess on the court.
Against Pacheco, the young Mexican player was met with intense pressure, playing before a home crowd eager to support their rising star. The match lasted just over one hour, but it was filled with ample moments where Pacheco showcased his determination. Davidovich quickly established dominance, breaking Pacheco’s serve early and keeping control of the game with consistent shot placements and effective volleys.
Reflecting on his bout, Pacheco acknowledged the palpable tension of performing under such bright lights. “It’s not easy to go out to a stadium with seven or eight thousand people shouting your name. At just 19, I walked onto the court and couldn't focus as well as I wanted. Although I don’t think I played poorly, Alejandro played much stronger than I did,” he admitted after his exit.
Notably, Pacheco’s run this past week marked a significant milestone for Mexican tennis. Earlier, he recorded his first ATP win by defeating Aleksandar Vukic, making him the first Mexican player to reach the quarterfinals of this tournament since Alejandro Hernández did so back in 1998. With notable resilience, Pacheco left the tournament with pride, knowing he is making strides within the competitive tennis world. “This has been the best week of my life; many emotions packed tightly over such a short period may have worked against me,” he said, reflecting positively after the loss.
Throughout the match, Pacheco enjoyed vibrant support from the crowd, with cheers of “¡Vamos, Rodrigo!” and “¡México, México!” echoing. Despite succumbing to the loss, he felt the encouragement from the audience had reignited his motivation going forward. “Everything is like the loss today; I know I will lose many more times, but I cannot get discouraged. This was quite the week for me, and now I look forward to improving and continuing forward on my path,” he concluded.
For Davidovich, Friday’s semifinal against Shapovalov is poised to be another test. The Spaniard’s ability to handle pressure will be key against the talented Canadian, who has also been on the rise since winning the title at Dallas earlier this month, marking his eighth consecutive victory.
The Abierto Mexicano, classified as an ATP 500 event, has been host to intense competition this year, with over $2.7 million at stake. Davidovich, known for his powerful right-hand shots and precise serves, aims to leverage this opportunity to not only clinch victory at this event but to also continue building his rank and experience on the tour.
Fans eagerly await the clash of styles between Davidovich’s tactical gameplay and Shapovalov’s aggressive attacking style. “Let’s see how it goes; both of us really want this,” said Davidovich, encapsulating the spirit of the tournament.
The wait is nearly over, as the semifinals will provide not just the thrill of tennis but also set the stage for future talents like Pacheco and established names like Davidovich to shine on one of the biggest stages of the ATP calendar.