Alex de Minaur has rallied from one set down to claim his first ATP 500 title, capping a brilliant run with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory against American Tommy Paul in the Mexican Open final, here.
The eighth-seeded Australian produced his best under pressure, saving six of the eight break points he faced in Saturday's two-hour and 27-minute championship match. His effort against Paul earned him the seventh and biggest title of his career.
This was De Minaur's second three-set battle in as many days, having navigated past world No.10 Holger Rune in Friday's semifinals.
"It feels great, it feels amazing. I know the hard work that's put in to be here and it's good to see the results. It's not always that you win the tournament and you get to finish a week unbeaten, so I'll definitely cherish this going into Indian Wells and Miami," De Minaur was quoted as saying by ATP Tour.
With a win, De Minaur joined Nick Kyrgios (a four-time champion in Acapulco) as the only two Australian players to win an ATP 500-level singles title in the past 15 years.
The performance in Acapulco also propelled De Minaur back inside the world's top 20 (at a projected world No.18). On the other hand, just over a month since his run to the Australian Open semifinals, Paul is also set to return to the Top-20.
The 24-year-old De Minuar will next be seen in action at the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, which begins on Wednesday.
The performance in Acapulco also propelled De Minaur back inside the world's top 20 (at a projected world No.18). On the other hand, just over a month since his run to the Australian Open semifinals, Paul is also set to return to the Top-20.
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