ACAPULCO, Mexico – The Abierto Mexicano Telcel 2025 Tennis Tournament has reached its climax as the semifinals are set to feature exciting matchups, including Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic against the American Brandon Nakashima, and the Canadian Denis Shapovalov facing off against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina.
On February 27, 2025, the quarterfinals produced thrilling results, showcasing both established and rising talent. Machac secured his semifinal spot first by defeating the young American Learner Tien with scorelines of 6-3, 7-5. The eighth-seeded Machac displayed resilience, overcoming Tien, who had previously upset the tournament’s top seed, Alexander Zverev.
Brandon Nakashima also progressed after triumphing over his opponent, Belgian David Goffin, with tight scores of 7-6(7-4), 6-2, showcasing his impressive form. The 23-year-old Nakashima's consistent play has set him up as one to watch as he enters the semifinals for the seventh time in his career.
Meanwhile, Denis Shapovalov marked his ascent by taking down Marcos Giron. Following the spirited encounter, Shapovalov came back from losing the first set to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Shapovalov noted after the match, “I feel good and confident going forward, the support has been amazing.”
The most notable story, though, was the quarterfinal run of 19-year-old Mexican prodigy, Rodrigo Pacheco, who, against all odds, had captured the hearts of the local crowd. Despite falling to Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina, Pacheco made history as he became the first Mexican to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament since 1998 and the first local player to win a main draw match since 2011.
"For me it was a very good week. It has been the best week of my whole life," Pacheco said post-match. With excitement surrounding his performances, Pacheco’s promising future highlights the growing potential of tennis talents rising from Mexico.
Davidovich-Fokina, currently ranked 48th, demonstrated class and skill throughout the bout with Pacheco, winning convincingly with scores of 6-2, 6-2. This win secured his place against Shapovalov, and he acknowledged the challenge faced playing against Pacheco, stating, “No es fácil jugar contra un local. Agradezco al público porque me respetó en todo momento.”
The semifinal matches promise to be competitive. Machac will face Nakashima for the first time on the ATP Tour, raising anticipation among fans and analysts alike. Shapovalov and Davidovich-Fokina’s match will be their second encounter, with their prior match, stemming from the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells, being won by Shapovalov.
The atmosphere at the Arena GNP Seguros has been electric, with fans rallying around local talents and established stars alike. With total prize money of $1.8 million at stake, every player is pushing hard to secure their place in the finals.
Looking forward, Tomas Machac is hoping to secure his first ATP 500 title, having already grabbed gold at the Olympic Games last year. The young players, including Pacheco, are learning and gaining valuable experience through their participation this week. For many, like Pacheco, success now serves as foundation for future endeavors.
The Abierto Mexicano, now part of the ATP 500 category, continues to showcase thrilling tennis and introduces enthusiastic fans to both seasoned stars and fresh faces on the tour. With semifinal matches set for Friday, the stakes are high, and anticipation continues to build toward the climactic final.