CUERNAVACA/STARNBERG, March 19, 2026

Japan’s Taro Daniel headlined Wednesday’s second-round action at the Morelos Open Metaxchange, rallying to defeat sixth-seeded Ecuadorian Andres Andrade 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final match of the day at Estadio Morelos.

The 33-year-old, currently ranked world No. 451, struck nine aces and won 68 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 46 minutes. Up next for Daniel will be Argentina’s Facundo Mena, who progressed in straight sets, defeating Dan Martin of Canada 6-4, 7-5.

Mexico’s Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez also delivered one of the standout performances of the day, advancing to the second round of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory over fourth seed Alexis Galarneau from Canada. The match had originally been suspended the previous day due to rain.

Firing up the crowd 🔥

Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez lights up the court with this electric passing shot in Morelos#ATPChallenger | @FMTmex pic.twitter.com/nPGunOv6UT

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 18, 2026

In one of the most competitive second-round matches of the day, US-American alternate Alafia Ayeni upset third seed Oliver Crawford from Great Britain, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in one hour and 47 minutes. The world No. 567 will next play his compatriot and eighth seed Andres Martin who edged past Mexican wild card entry Alejandro Hayen 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. The encounter lasted two hours and 12 minutes.