Cobolli Triumphs in Acapulco, Joins Alcaraz, Sinner and Fils on Lofty List

Faced with a Frances Tiafoe who would not go away, Flavio Cobolli dug down and found another gear. The 23-year-old Italian fought off Tiafoe in Saturday’s Abierto Mexicano Telcel final in Acapulco and booked his third career title—and his first on hard courts—with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory.

Cobolli, who will rise to a career-high No. 15 in Monday’s ATP rankings, played magnificently with his forehand. He spent much of the night belting winners from improbable spots on the court to keep momentum in a tense affair. For Tiafoe, it was a stinging loss as he was bidding for his first career ATP 500 title after a week defined by “Houdini” escapes.

Tiafoe survived two match points against Aleksandar Kovacevic in the round of 16, but his luck ran out against Cobolli in Saturday’s final.

Having both survived three-set marathons in the semifinals—Cobolli over Miomir Kecmanovic and Tiafoe over Brandon Nakashima—the pair still traded high-octane blows in an opening set that lasted well over an hour. Cobolli didn’t face a single break point in the first set and showed veteran composure to rally from 3-1 down in the tiebreak.

The Italian took a break lead in the second but was reeled back in the eighth game as the Acapulco crowd roared for a decider. However, Cobolli refused to let the American’s momentum swell, breaking back immediately and serving out the match shortly after. He finished with 34 winners and becomes the first Italian to win an ATP title in 2026.

With the win Cobolli becomes the fourth player born in the 2000s to win ATP 500 titles on different surfaces, joining Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Arthur Fils on that list.

Cobolli, at 23 years and nine months, is the youngest player to win in Acapulco since Dominic Thiem a decade ago.