Patrick Kypson beats two-time champion Alex De Minaur in Acapulco opener | ATP Tour
acapulco
Capeson shocks two-time champion De Minaur in Acapulco opener
Knuckle Island, Davidovich Fokina advance
February 24, 2026
Mekstenese | ATP Tour
Patrick Kipson during the Acapulco game.
Written by ATP Staff
Patrick Kypson notched the biggest win of his career at the HSBC Telecom Mexico tournament on Monday, defeating second-seeded Alex de Minaur 6-1, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) to advance to the second round in Acapulco. With this victory, the American achieved his first tour-level victory since Indian Wells in 2024.
“It feels great,” Capeson said. “Everything is important. I have to serve well. I have to return well. My forehand is big. Fortunately, I was able to do those things for quite some time.”
In the deciding set, Australian De Minaur’s serve led 5-4. Kipson broke De Minaur’s serve and sealed a hard-won victory in 2 hours and 39 minutes. According to Infosys ATP statistics, the American won 71% (48/68) of first-serve points and converted three of the five break points he faced. De Minaur was playing his first game since winning the title in Rotterdam two weeks ago.
This week, Kepson reached a career-high world ranking of 103rd, rising seven spots to 93rd in the PIF ATP live rankings. The 26-year-old is tied with six people for the most titles (four) at the ATP Challenger level in 2025. In the second round, he will face Brandon Nakajima, who easily defeated Elias Immel 6-3, 6-4.
In other first-round matches, 2025 finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina opened his Acapulco campaign with a straight-sets win. The Spaniard defeated Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3 in 1 hour and 34 minutes.
He will face either Rinki Hijikata or Mattia Bellucci in the second round.
