Zverev wins three-set test in Acapulco opener, Rune advances

Top seed Alexander Zverev fought off a stern test from Italian Matteo Arnaldi to begin his campaign at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC on Tuesday.

The 2021 champion, who arrived in Acapulco following a two-week stint on South American clay, adapted to the humid, hard-court conditions and found his rhythm as the match progressed en route to a 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 win.

“I came from clay a few days ago, didn’t have much time," said the No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. "I’m happy to beat a quality player and be through to the next round."

How to cover the court with @AlexZverev 📚@AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2025 pic.twitter.com/Hs9jV8OqlE

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 26, 2025

The German raised his level in key moments, relying on his hefty first delivery and moving forward to apply pressure on the 24-year-old Arnaldi. Zverev came to net 32 times, converting 22 of those points.

“The break in the second set freed me a little bit and gave me some space to breathe, at least in that set. I started to play better from there, I think maybe he played a bit worse from that moment onwards," said Zverev, who improved to 12-3 on the season and 14-4 at the Mexican ATP 500, where he lost in the opening round last year to countryman Daniel Altmaier — the 27-year-old's only first-round defeat since the start of 2024.

Up next for Zverev will be the ultra-consistent Learner Tien. The American qualifier was a finalist at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. Tien, 19, ousted 2022 Acapulco runner-up Cameron Norrie 7-6(5), 6-3 in the first round.

In Zverev’s half of the draw, fourth seed Holger Rune advanced with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory against Roberto Carballes Baena. The 21-year-old Dane levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Carballes Baena at 2-2 and will next face American Brandon Nakashima, who moved within one of capturing his 100th tour-level match win by ousting Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(6), 7-5.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina earned one of the comeback wins of the season, saving four consecutive match points to oust Italian Mattia Bellucci 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-2. The lucky loser Bellucci held a 6/2 lead in the second-set tie-break before the Spaniard staged an inspiring comeback.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov extended his winning streak to six by defeating #NextGenATP American Nishesh Basavareddy 7-5, 6-2. Two weeks removed from winning his biggest career title at the ATP 500 in Dallas, the ninth seed Shapovalov dropped just six points behind his first serve (20/26), according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Former junior No. 1 and home hope Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez overcame Aleksandar Vukic 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) in a three-hour, one-minute battle. In front of a packed Grandstand, the 19-year-old wild card relied on the crowd’s support as he became the youngest Mexican player to win an ATP Tour match since 1996 (Alejandro Hernandez, Santiago). A second-round meeting with Casper Ruud awaits the teenager.

"It was like the Mexican crowd was playing with me"

Remember the name: Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez 🇲🇽@AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2025 pic.twitter.com/KjInt6X0qT

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 26, 2025

In the night session, a pair of American stars notched contrasting first-round wins. Seventh seed Frances Tiafoe eased past last week's Rio de Janeiro finalist Alexandre Muller 6-4, 6-2, while Alex Michelsen had to withstand a late comeback from Buyunchaokete. Michelsen let slip a 5-2 lead with a double break in the deciding set against the Chinese star before eventually pulling through for a 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) triumph. In the second round, Tiafoe will play Davidovich Fokina, with Michelsen set to take on Shapovalov.