Australia’s Alex de Minaur has overcome American Tommy Paul in three sets to win his first ATP 500 title.
Acapulco, Mexico, 5 March 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Acapulco, Mexico
Alex de Minaur has claimed the biggest singles title of his career to date.
The 24-year-old Australian triumphed at this week’s ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco, capping a brilliant run with a steely come-from-behind 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory against American Tommy Paul in today’s final.
“I just dug deep, managed to scrap my way through it,” De Minaur said.
VAMOOOOOS!!!@alexdeminaur | @AbiertoTelcel | #CelebratingTennis30 pic.twitter.com/es5HLtEgHu
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 5, 2023
It is De Minaur’s second three-set battle in as many days, having navigated past world No.10 Holger Rune in a physical encounter in yesterday’s semifinals.
The eighth-seeded De Minaur once again produced his best under pressure, saving six of the eight break points he faced in today’s two-hour and 27-minute championship match.
He eventually wore down the Australian Open 2023 semifinalist with his relentless efforts, which included winning 81 per cent of his first-serve points.
“I just want to keep pushing and get the most out of myself,” said an elated De Minaur after his victory.
“I might not play unbelievable tennis every day, but I know I’m going to fight until the end. I’ve got a whole lot of heart in this little body of mine.”
This delivers world No.22 De Minaur a seventh career ATP singles title and his first at ATP 500 level.
| Alex de Minaur’s ATP career titles | ||
| Event | Date | Level |
| Sydney, Australia | January 2019 | ATP 250 |
| Atlanta, USA | July 2019 | ATP 250 |
| Zhuhai, China | September 2019 | ATP 250 |
| Antalya, Turkey | January 2021 | ATP 250 |
| Eastbourne, UK | June 2021 | ATP 250 |
| Atlanta, USA | July 2022 | ATP 250 |
| Acapulco, Mexico | February 2023 | ATP 500 |
De Minaur joins Nick Kyrgios (a four-time champion) as the only Australian players to win an ATP 500-level singles title in the past 15 years.
This performance also propels De Minaur back inside the world’s top 20 (at a projected world No.18) and sees him regain the Australian No.1 ranking from Kyrgios.
🇦🇺 @alexdeminaur IS YOUR 2023 AMT SINGLES CHAMPION 🏆 #CelebratingTennis30 pic.twitter.com/fiog9qZqCp
— Abierto Mexicano (@AbiertoTelcel) March 5, 2023
De Minaur’s next tournament is the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, which begins on Wednesday.
Aussies in action – Acapulco
RESULTS
Men’s singles, final
[8] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d [7] Tommy Paul (USA) 3-6 6-4 6-1
Pune, India
Max Purcell has claimed his third consecutive ATP Challenger singles title.
The 24-year-old from New South Wales extended his winning streak to 15 matches with a 6-2 6-3 victory against Italian Luca Nardi in the Pune final today.
Purcell did not drop serve in the 78-minute encounter, conceding just 14 points in total across his service games.
It is Purcell’s 21st win from his 24 singles matches so far this season.
This effort propels Purcell, who started the season ranked world No.220 and currently sits at a career-high No.116, into the world’s top 100 for the first time.
Aussies in action – Pune
RESULTS
Men’s singles, final
[3] Max Purcell (AUS) d [4] Luca Nardi (ITA) 6-2 6-3
> READ: Birrell advances to first WTA-level doubles final in seven years
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