In the youngsters’ battle, Alexander Zverev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 17 minutes to claim his first Acapulco crown and his 14th ATP trophy. It was the German’s first triumph over the Greek since Washington 2018, losing five straight matches after that and finding the way to change that and lift the trophy, his first at the ATP 500 level since mentioned Washington.
Alexander hit 26 winners and 33 unforced errors, saving six out of eight break chances and earning three breaks from 12 opportunities to move over the top in straight sets despite a slow start. The German struggled behind the second serve, but it wasn’t enough for Tsitsipas to take at least a set, and had he kept that level, it would have been enough for the sixth consecutive victory over Zverev.
The Greek held with a service winner in the opening game and broke at love in game two when the German netted a forehand.
Tsitsipas held with a backhand winner at the net in game three to confirm the advantage and moved 4-1 up with an ace down the T line in game five after 19 minutes.
Serving in game six, Alexander fended off three break points for a game-changer, playing better after that and gathering a boost. Zverev broke back at 15 in the next game and held at love with a forehand crosscourt winner for 4-4.
The German grabbed the second straight break in game nine following Tsitsipas’ double fault and saved a break point at 5-4 when Stefanos sprayed a forehand error. Zverev forced Tsitsipas’ mistake to clinch the set 6-4 and become the favorite ahead of set number two.
They stayed close to each other until 4-4, and the German earned a break following Stefanos’ double fault, serving for the victory in the next game. Tsitsipas saved a match point with a well-constructed attack and broke back following Zverev’s terrible second serve.
The Greek saved no less than six break points at 5-5 and created a set point on the return in game 12. Alexander denied it with a powerful serve and reached a tie break after another.