ACAPULCO, Mexico — Tennis fans are gearing up for an exciting showdown at the 2025 Abierto Mexicano Telcel, where Tomas Machac and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina are set to face off on Saturday night at the Arena GNP Seguros. Both players secured their spots in the final after hard-fought victories over their semifinal opponents.
Machac, the eighth seed and currently ranked 25th globally, pulled off a tense three-set battle against American Brandon Nakashima, winning with scores of 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. This victory marks Machac as the first Czech player to reach this tournament's final since Jiri Novak, who was the runner-up back in 1996. With Novak also being the only Czech to ever win the event, Machac hopes to emulate his success.
On the other side of the net, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ranked 48th, triumphed over ninth seed Denis Shapovalov from Canada, narrowly winning both sets 7-6 (3) and 7-6 (1) after nearly two hours of play. Davidovich Fokina found himself trailing at times but managed to rally, showcasing adaptability and composure under pressure. He has reached his third ATP final with aspirations of clinching his first title.
Prior to this year's Abierto Mexicano, Davidovich Fokina had been working hard on his game, coming off his recent runner-up finish at the Delray Beach Open earlier this month. This consistency has him optimistic heading to Acapulco, particularly after his strong showing against Shapovalov. "It was tough, but I kept my calm at the right moment to neutralize the Canadian," he expressed after his semifinal victory, sounding confident about his game going forward.
The stakes could not be higher, as both players are eager for their first ATP title. While Davidovich Fokina aims to break through and earn his first win at this level, Machac is equally determined. "It's very good to hear my name. I am very proud to reach the final in Mexico and I will definitely go for the trophy," said Machac, illustrating his motivation and pride as he steps onto the court this weekend.
Interestingly, this final is notable as it features two players who are both seeking to make their mark within the ATP 500 classifications. Machac, who has primarily gathered trophies from the Challenger circuit, looks to add his name to the history books of this prominent tournament.
Due to unexpected circumstances earlier in the tournament, some of the top seeds were unable to compete, allowing Machac and Davidovich Fokina to shine. August 31, 2024, saw favored players Casper Ruud and Holger Rune withdraw due to stomach infections, contributing to what has shaped up to be quite the exhilarating final.
Fans of tennis and especially of the Abierto Mexicano are buzzing with anticipation. The matchup will not only be consequential for the players’ rankings but will also impact their careers as they strive for greater successes on the ATP Tour.
This final offers all the drama and excitement one could hope for: two rising stars, both eager to prove themselves, squaring off at one of the year’s most picturesque events. While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is for sure—history is waiting to be made on Saturday night.