acapulco
Tiafoe makes heroic comeback to reach Acapulco final: ‘The stars aligned’
Team USA to face Coboli for ATP 500 title
February 28, 2026
Mekstenes
Frances Tiafoe is aiming to win his first ATP Tour trophy since 2023.
Written by ATP Staff
Frances Tiafoe is known for playing entertaining tennis, and he just did that on Friday at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel Presentado presented by HSBC.
The eighth-seeded American beat compatriot Brandon Nakajima 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in a dramatic battle in Acapulco, leaving the American one win away from his biggest ATP Tour trophy.
Nakajima served nervously at 6-5 in the second set, with Tiafoe leading 15/40 and sealing the break point with a net rope winner. Tiafoe suffered another scare in the tie-break, leading 6/3 but trailing by two points at 6/6.
Tiafoe, ranked No. 28 in the PIF ATP Rankings, converted one of his four break point opportunities in the first game of the decider. A double break later in the set dashed Nakajima’s hopes, and Tiafoe eventually improved to 6-1 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series against the 24-year-old, sealing victory after 2 hours and 49 minutes.
“It’s incredible. The stars really aligned,” Tiafoe said. “When I was down, things started to make sense, there were a few net strings. I was 5-6 every time I returned the ball [in the second set]. Obviously it doesn’t feel the best, but just competing and fighting – sometimes you get lucky. It was some great tennis in the third game.
“Never say die. I’m ready to empty the tank and see what happens.”
This isn’t Tiafoe’s first dramatic win this week. The 28-year-old saved two match points to defeat Alexander Kovacevic in the second round. Tiafoe will seek his fourth tour title when he faces fifth seed Flavio Coboli in Saturday’s final.
Koboli earned a hard-fought victory in his own right, defeating Serbian Miomir Kekmanović 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 in the semifinals in 2 hours and 26 minutes. The 23-year-old trailed 3-1 in the decider but won five of his next six games to advance.
Facing two break points in the deciding game at 3-3, Coboli was in danger with two consecutive breaks and a forehand winner. Coboli once again kept his cool after losing his serve at 5-3 and rebounded quickly to lead 0-40 in the next game. He took his second match point and raised his arms in relief.
“We played an unbelievable game,” Coboly said. “I’m happy to reach the finals in Mexico for the first time. I think we all played a great game. I was a little lucky in the end because sometimes you need luck in crucial moments. I’m really proud of myself because it’s not easy to come back.”
Coboli is the third Italian to reach three ATP 500 finals since the series began in 2009, joining Jannik Sinner (9 times) and Fabio Fognini (3 times). If Coboli wins the Acapulco title, he could surpass his career-high of 17th. Tiafoe leads Coboli 2-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
