Auckland Open: Tabilo beats Daniel to win first ATP singles title

Tabilo becomes the first qualifier to win an ATP singles title since 2021

Alejandro Tabilo Image Credit: Photosport / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

January 13, 2024

ASB Classic •Final • completed

See draw

T. DanielvsA. Tabilo

Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo won the ASB Classic tournament by beating Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-2, 7-5 at the ASB Tennis Arena on Saturday. This was the first ATP singles title for the 26-year-old.

Milestone unlocked 🔓

The moment Chile's Alejandro Tabilo won his maiden ATP title and became the first man from Chile to win a hard court title since 2007! pic.twitter.com/vBzxiTCZK9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 13, 2024

Tabilo will break into the top 50 of the world rankings on Monday for the first time in his career and becomes the first qualifier to win an ATP singles title since 2021.

“It’s been a crazy ride” – Tabilo after winning first title

“It honestly feels surreal right now. I’m so happy, very emotional,” Tabilo said after the win as quoted by the ATP website. “I honestly never thought we were going to be here in the final.”

“Last year was tough. Even two years ago, we made the final of Cordoba. From there we were going up and then I had a little stress fracture on my arm and we had to stop that year. We tried to work back up, but it’s been a lot of injuries last year also. Now with the whole team, with the recovery, with the food… My family also supporting, my girlfriend also in Chile right now has been helping me so much mentally, and my friends also. It’s been a crazy ride.”

The Chilean hit 37 winners, including 10 aces, in the one-hour, 37-minute contest, and saved all three break points against his serve while converting three of five break opportunities on the Daniel serve.

Magic from Tabilo 🙌

Alejandro Tabilo pulls rabbit out of hat at #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/3tFIsygdqz
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 13, 2024

Earlier in the tournament, Tabilo, ranked No 82, defeated Croat Borna Gojo (1-6, 6-3, 6-2), Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (7-5, 6-3), second seed Cameron Norrie (walkover) and Frenchman Arthur Fils, the No 6 seed (6-2, 7-5).

Daniel, ranked No 74 and playing in his second ATP singles level, defeated Australian Aleksandar Vukic (7-5, 7-5), Australian Max Purcell, the No 8 seed (6-2, 6-4), French qualifier Alexandre Muller (6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3) and American Ben Shelton, the top seed (7-5, 7-6 (9)) earlier in the week.