Machac defeats Davidovich Fokina in Acapulco for first ATP title

Tomas Machac is a first-time title winner on the ATP Tour after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the final of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Saturday in Acapulco.

Machac did not drop serve a single time while triumphing in an hour, 37 minutes.

The 24-year-old Czech was playing in his second ATP final, having previously finished runner-up to Casper Ruud last spring on the red clay of Geneva.

A tight opening frame of play saw each man hold serve the entire way. In fact, Machac won 24 of 24 first-serve points in the opening set while losing only three service points in total. Davidovich Fokina actually earned a set point with his opponent serving at 5-6 in the tiebreak, but Machac quickly snuffed it out and clinched the ‘breaker two points later.

The first breakthrough came with Davidovich Fokina serving at 2-2 in the second. Machac converted his second break point of the game with a well-placed backhand volley. From there it was all over for the Spaniard, who also lost his serve at 2-4.

Machac proceeded to serve it out easily at 5-2. The Czech built a 40-0 lead, double-faulted on his first championship point and then got across the finish line on his second opportunity when Davidovich Fokina netted a backhand.

The world No 25, who will break into the top 20 for the first time in his career on Monday, enjoyed a lucrative stay in Mexico. Prior to this result he was the champion of UTS Guadalajara.

“This is something that is very hard to do,” Machac said of winning an ATP title. “But this feeling is amazing. So, I would like to thank my coach for everything. I was sometimes very tough on him during the matches but I told him two weeks ago that I struggle sometimes with big matches and I don’t know how to manage these situations and then I won UTS and a 500 so I’ll try to speak more often.”

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