Mexican Open Final Preview: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Tomas Machac battle for their first ATP title
Tennis News
The Mexican Open final will feature an exciting clash between Tomas Machac and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, both chasing their first ATP title in a prestigious ATP 500 event.
The Czech 8th seed took down Brandon Nakashima and is into the second final of his career, while the Spaniard ended Denis Shapovalov’s eight-match winning streak to reach back-to-back finals, having fallen just short in Delray Beach.
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Davidovich Fokina takes down Shapovalov: One step from glory
Davidovich Fokina is enjoying a dream run after overcoming persistent injuries in recent years and seems to be returning to peak form. He has reached his second consecutive ATP final, following his runner-up finish in Delray Beach against Miomir Kecmanovic two weeks ago.
Interestingly, the Spaniard is one of the players who has never won a title. A consistent performer when in good physical shape, he boasts a career-high ranking of World No. 21. Until two weeks ago, his only final appearance had been at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he faced Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Davidovich Fokina lost in his two previous finals.
Davidovich Fokina arrives full of confidence after defeating Denis Shapovalov 7-6, 7-6—the Canadian had been in impeccable form with eight consecutive wins. The Spaniard also overcame Mattia Bellucci, Frances Tiafoe (7th seed), and Rodrigo Pacheco, securing his return to the top 40 after two years. He now has a golden opportunity to claim his first ATP title in Acapulco, capping off a strong start to the year with 13 wins and five losses.
Machac looks to cap off his rise with a title
Tomas Machac is locked in a tight battle with Jiri Lehecka to lead Czech tennis. At 24 years old, Machac has already secured his place as Czech No. 1, as he will rise to world No. 22 on Monday—his career-high ranking, surpassing Lehecka (No. 24).
Tomas Machac leads Czech team at 2025 United Cup.
The Beroun-born player is chasing his first ATP title, having fallen short in the 2024 Geneva Open final to Casper Ruud. Over the last year, he has elevated his game, securing big wins against players like Tommy Paul, Grigor Dimitrov, and Carlos Alcaraz in the past four months.
This week, Machac defeated Learner Tien and Brandon Nakashima and, like Davidovich Fokina, now has a huge opportunity to claim his maiden ATP trophy.
Machac and Davidovich Fokina seek maiden ATP crown
Everything points to a tightly contested match between two players who have shown consistency on serve. Davidovich Fokina has won 72% of points on his first serve this week, compared to 73% for Machac. On second serve, the margins are just as narrow, with the Spaniard winning 52% of points compared to 51% for the Czech.
They have only faced each other once before, back in October 2024 at the Shanghai Masters. In that match, Davidovich had a break lead in the second set but ended up losing a hard-fought battle 6-1, 6-7(3), 4-6.
It will be a nerve-wracking encounter as both players aim for their first professional title. The Spaniard has more experience in big matches, but at times struggles to maintain a high level throughout an entire contest. Keeping a cool head will be crucial for the Czech in a match that could easily go the distance in three sets.
A maiden career title on the line 🏆@AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2025 pic.twitter.com/nUQiwwCnS4
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 1, 2025
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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