Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Tennis roundup: Del Potro, Tsurenko win Acapulco titles

Last updated on: March 04, 2018 17:14 IST

Del Potro downs Anderson in Acapulco final for 21st title

Juan Martin del Potro

IMAGE: Juan Martin del Potro celebrates after winning the Telcel ATP Mexican Open 2018 title. Photograph: Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Battle-scarred Argentine Juan Martin del Potro clinched his 21st career title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Kevin Anderson in the Mexican Open final in Acapulco on Sunday.

The week after losing to Frances Tiafoe in the second round at Delray Beach Open in Florida, the former US Open champion dropped only one set in four matches on the Acapulco outdoor hardcourt on his way to the title.

 

One break in each set was enough to give del Potro his first title of the year and the world number nine did not face a single break point as he improved his perfect career record against the big-serving South African to 7-0.

Anderson, ranked a spot above Del Potro in the world rankings coming into the tournament, was seeking his second consecutive title after winning the New York Open two weeks ago.

When Anderson gets it right with his booming serve he can be difficult to break down but 29-year-old Del Potro was able to feed on the South African's weaker second serve to get the crucial breaks.

Tsurenko fights back to defend Acapulco title

Lesia Tsurenko

IMAGE: Lesia Tsurenko kisses the trophy after winning the Telcel ATP Mexican Open 2018. Photograph: Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko battled back from the brink of defeat to successfully defend her Mexican Open title with a 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2 victory over Stefanie Voegele in the final in Acapulco on Sunday.

Swiss Voegele was only three points from clinching the match in two sets but Tsurenko forced a tiebreak and it was nearly all one-way traffic from there as the Ukrainian took command in a nearly three-hour battle of attrition.

After dominating the tiebreak to even up the contest, the 28-year-old world number 40 walzed through the final set to secure the fourth title of her career.

"It’s such a special tournament for me, winning here for the second time," Tsurenko said. "This is just an unbelievable feeling for me to be here."

Bautista Agut downs Pouille to win Dubai final

Third-seed Roberto Bautista Agut defeated France's Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday to secure his first ATP 500 title.

Bautista Agut, who won the Auckland Classic title in January, controlled the match from the start and took a 3-1 lead and the 29-year-old held on to capture the first set.

The Spaniard, who dropped just one set on his way to the final, maintained his momentum in the second to outclass Pouille and win his eighth career title.

"This tournament is very special. It is for sure going to be (always) in my heart and I am so happy I have won a 500 event," Bautista Agut said.

"Lucas is a really great player, he has a great future and is playing unbelievable tennis in the last month. I want to wish him good luck for the rest of the season."

Second-seed Pouille, competing in his third ATP final in four events, also lost a chance to move into the top 10 for the first time.

Bautista Agut is expected to climb to world number 16 when the updated rankings are released on Monday.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.