Kecmanovic’s bizarre match-point victory as Cobolli and Tiafoe hold the line
Miomir Kecmanovic secured a semi-final berth under extraordinary circumstances when Terence Atmane was handed a match-ending penalty point, while the late-night exit of Valentin Vacherot left the draw with only two remaining seeds. Tiafoe and Cobolli qualified.
Frances Tiafoe, 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
The 2026 edition of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC has reached a fever pitch in Acapulco, as a dramatic Friday night of quarter-final action whittled the field down to its final four competitors : two seeds, Frances Tiafoe and Flavo Cobolli, and two challengers, Miomir Kecmanivic and Brandon Nakashima.
In a tournament defined by the early exits of top-tier talent, the narrative has shifted toward the resilience of the remaining seeds and the emergence of Miomir Kecmanovic as a formidable force. However, the technical brilliance on display was nearly overshadowed by a disciplinary meltdown that left the Mexican crowd in disbelief during the evening’s most anticipated showdown.
The headline of the night was undoubtedly the victory of Kecmanovic over Frenchman Terence Atmane, but the 6-3, 6-3 scoreline does not begin to describe the chaotic conclusion of the match.
Point penalty on the match point
Kecmanovic, currently ranked No. 84, entered the court with immense momentum after his monumental upset of top seed Alexander Zverev earlier in the week.
He maintained that high level of play, neutralizing Atmane’s powerful serve and punishing the Frenchman from the baseline. Yet, as Kecmanovic reached match point in the second set, the atmosphere turned toxic.
Atmane, who had been struggling with his composure throughout the set, committed a final act of frustration that forced the chair umpire’s hand. Having already received a warning earlier in the contest, Atmane was assessed a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at the most critical juncture possible.
Because the penalty occurred on match point, the umpire effectively awarded the final point — and the match — to Kecmanovic. It was an unbelievable scene that saw the Serb advance to the semi-finals not via a winning shot, but through his opponent’s disciplinary collapse.
Vacherot out
While Kecmanovic prepares to face the No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli in the next round, another major story developed in the final match of the day. Monégasque Valentin Vacherot, the No. 6 seed and a player who had looked nearly untouchable after dismissing Gael Monfils earlier in the week, saw his Acapulco campaign come to a disappointing end.
Facing American Brandon Nakashima, Vacherot initially looked like the superior player, taking the opening set 6-2 with clinical efficiency. However, Nakashima, the world No. 29, showcased the grit that has defined his season.
The American systematically dismantled Vacherot’s rhythm, finding angles that forced the higher seed into a defensive shell. Nakashima roared back to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-3, officially ending Vacherot’s run and ensuring that the final match of the night concluded with yet another seed falling.
The semi-final lineup is now set, with No. 8 seed Frances Tiafoe also securing his spot after a 6-3, 6-4 win over Mattia Bellucci. Tiafoe will face Nakashima in an all-American clash, while Cobolli, who took down Yibing Wu 7-6, 6-1, remains the highest-ranked player left to challenge the surging Kecmanovic.
