ACAPULCO, March 1, 2020
After winning his first two titles (2005, 2013) at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC on clay, Rafael Nadal completed his Acapulco hat trick on a hard court by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday evening.
The top seed from Spain withstood 10 aces from Fritz and broke the US-American’s serve three times to prevail after one hour and 14 minutes.
Nadal secured his 85th tour-level singles trophy and his first of the season. The top seed stormed through the draw without dropping a set, joining David Ferrer and Thomas Muster as the only players to win at least three titles at this event.
History maker. 😃🍐@RafaelNadal 🇪🇸#AMT2020 #CelebratingTennis @atptour @ATPTour_ES pic.twitter.com/UN47Iu49YP
— Abierto Mexicano (@AbiertoTelcel) March 1, 2020
“I couldn’t be happier. I played a great event from the beginning to the end,” Nadal said, quoted by the ATP Tour website. “Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my career, so to be able to stay here after 15 years is amazing. I can’t thank enough the people who make me feel at home every single time.”
The World No. 2 took away from Mexico $372,785 in prize money as well as 500 ATP Ranking points.
”After not competing since Australia, it’s an important week for me and an important moment,” Nadal said. “I played solid, with the right intensity and the right passion, and my forehand worked well.
“This title doesn’t mean that I will have a great season. It means another good start of the season for me. It gives me confidence, allows me to be in a privileged position in the ATP Race [To London]. At the end of the day, I’m still competing for these feelings that I am having right now. Regardless of the result, I am always happy after playing here. Now imagine how I am after getting the title!”
Kubot/Melo triumph in doubles
Over on Grandstand, Lukasz Kubot from Poland and Marcelo Melo of Brazil took the doubles title. The second seeds saved two championship points to defeat top seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah of Colombia 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 11-9 and take the title in Acapulco. The final lasted two hours and 31 minutes.
”Me and Kubot are happy to win this title in Acapulco. This title means a lot to us,” Melo said. “We were able to put our best tennis together. The match was very tough and it was decided by one or two points.”
Kubot and Melo picked up their 13th ATP Tour team doubles title and the first of this season. They earned 500 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $119,750.
