Alexander Zverev’s recent run of disappointing results at the Mexican Open has continued after the German suffered a surprise loss in the second round.
The top seed was ousted 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4) by Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in a lengthy encounter that lasted more than two and a half hours. Zverev could only break his opponent once in the match, which was during the first set, and produced 33 unforced errors. He was bidding to reach his 101st Tour-level quarter-final, which is more than any other player born since 1990.
Since winning the Acapulco title in 2021, Zverev has failed to achieve another strong run at the tournament. This year is the third in a row in which he has failed to win back-to-back matches. It is also the first time this season he has failed to do so.
As for 26-year-old Kecmanovic, it is the first time he has beaten a top-five player. Coincidentally, his first win over a top 10 player six-and-a-half years ago was also against Zverev. He is through to his 35th ATP Tour quarter-final.
“I guess I was more aggressive when it mattered. I served a lot better than my usual standards, so I’m happy that things went well,” Kecmanovic told atptour.com.
“Obviously he’s (Zverev) the big favourite, so I didn’t have any pressure there, but you still have to play well when it matters, close out the match and thankfully it went my way.”
After Zverev’s exit, only three out of the eight seeded players have managed to reach the last eight of the ATP 500 tournament, which will reward $461,835 to the champion. Alexander de Minaur, Cameron Norrie and Casper Ruud lost in the first round. Meanwhile, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina fell in the second.
Flavio Cobolli is the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw. The Italian beat Dalibor Svrcina 6-4, 6-4, in his latest match.
“I love playing in Mexico. I’ve been coming here for three years now. The Mexican fans bring a lot of color to the court and on social media. I’m very happy with the match I played. I don’t know who I’ll be playing next, but I’m sure it will be a tough match. It doesn’t matter what my opponent’s ranking is,” said Cobolli.
Cobolli’s next test will be Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing, who knocked Ruud out of the tournament. He is bidding to win his third ATP title and first outside of Europe.
Sixth seed Valentin Vacherot and eighth seed Frances Tiafoe are also through to the quarter-finals. Vacherot beat soon-to-be retired Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 and Tiafoe outlasted Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7).
