Flavio Coblli won the third title of his career when he lifted the Abierto Mexicano Telcel trophy in Acapulco, his first at 500 level.
I just want to say that I am very proud of myself. It was a great match today, I think it was the best of the tournament for me Flavio Cobolli
The Italian produced some excellent tennis to beat Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4) 6-4 in the championship match for the victory that will lift him to a career high of 15 in the world rankings.
“When I was a kid, I dreamed of this moment,” Cobolli said. “For this kind of tournament, playing on center court and people cheering me on. I’m very proud, not only for me, but also for the people who work for me: my father, my family, the rest of my team. They will help me a lot.”
With two losses to the American in their previous meetings, Cobolli was at a psychological disadvantage when the pair took the field, but on this occasion the Italian was better in the court as he took the match to Tiafoe.
Shortly after dropping a set point on the return at 5-4 in the opener, he trailed 1-3 in the tiebreak, but won six of the last seven points to take a one-set lead.
Tiafoe didn’t get a break until the eighth game of the second set, converting his third chance to level the score at 4-4 to pull himself back into the match and repeat his 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 victory over fellow countryman Brandon Nakashima in the semi-finals.
But Cobolli was able to steady his nerves and prevent a similar comeback, as after dropping his serve he immediately broke back and after two and nine minutes he served for the title.
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“I think I deserve it because of the way I work off the court,” Cobolli said. “After the losses I am working on the field again and I just want to say that I am very proud of myself. It was a great match today, I think for me it was the best of the tournament. I have never won against [Frances] before today, so I’m very happy.”
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