Tomas Machac was the highest-ranked player in the ATP Tour not to win a single title. So when he arrived in Acapulco, many people knew that he was a man on a mission as he sought to change that narrative. That’s what he achieved when he closed out Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final to lock up his first trophy.

Of course, being Mexico did not bring him any advantage at all, but the Czech came into town with a winning mindset, and it did seem really clear that he’s not backing down from any challenge as he continues to bring his game to another level as he went on to beat Jakub Mensik, Daniel Altmaier, Learner Tien, and Brandon Nakashima en route to the final.

Machac now takes his place among Czech players as the third national to score an ATP 500 trophy since 2009 when the series began. He joins former Top 10 players Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek in achieving a strong feat. At the age of 24, Tomas Machac is making his presence felt in a quiet way, and it seems that he may well be on the climb now more than ever.

Cracking the Top 20

With the win, Machac enters the top 20 in the ATP Tour heading into the next big stage of the season. So far, the Czech star has been really aggressive in his games, showing off his unpredictability with the way he has played so far. This has been a milestone moment for Machac, who now brings his focus to the next task at hand – the Indian Wells.

“It means a lot. It is something I never dreamed could happen. Especially at an ATP 500, so it feels amazing for me,” Machac said of his first ATP Tour singles title. “I was working very hard in the past year, so I am happy I can achieve something that shows me I am going the right way.”

Machac had to stave of Davidovich Fokina in the first set, going for a total of 14 deuces before he finally managed to eke out a 1-0 lead. The Czech star would go on to dominate the second set at 6-2 to close out the victory in the Mexican Open. Machac dropped only two sets en route to the victory, losing one each to Brandon Nakashima and Jakub Mensik.

Big Game Machac

Machac's stats further highlight his fondness for the conditions in Acapulco. In the final, he won 95% of his first-serve points, converting 37 out of 39, as per Infosys ATP Stats—an exceptional achievement that few players manage. He also showcased his aggressive forehand, a precise backhand, and the versatility and speed that are trademarks of his game.

“I told my coach two weeks ago that sometimes I struggle in important matches and don't know how to handle these situations... So, I will try to communicate more often,” Machac said. "The emotion right now is relief for the tough week I have had. I don't like losing a final, especially when I am in this form. I am happy for the win because Davidovich was playing very well.”

Tomas Machac has the potential to go far, with all the tools to succeed. Though he’s yet to get past the third round of a Grand Slam, he’s steadily progressing, breaking records along the way. It’s likely just a matter of time before he takes on the top 10 and beyond.