Defending champion Alex De Minaur is into the Mexican Open once again after outlasting Jack Draper in the semi-final on Saturday.
After beating Stefanos Tsitsipas for the first time in 11 attempts in the quarter-finals, the Australian third seed recovered from a mid-match dip to defeat the Brit 6-3 2-6 4-0, who need to retire after one hour, 48 minutes.
De Minaur will attempt to defend his title against sixth seed Casper Ruud, who just managed to get past Holger Rune in an epic three-setter.
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It was a fast start for De Minaur with breaks in the fifth and ninth games, before wrapping up the first set 6-3.
However, the Aussie took the foot off the pedal almost immediately, letting Draper break in the first game of the second set.
Draper looked the better player as he broke De Minaur again and winning the second set 6-2.
But in the all-important third set, De Minaur showed his fitness levels by pushing out to 4-0 lead before Draper pulled the pin on the match.
It's sadly been a story of Draper's career so far - supremely talented but blighted with fitness struggles.
De Minaur has continued his quality form in 2024, reaching his second final after going down to Jannik Sinner in Rotterdam last month.
It will be an unfamiliar match-up in the Acapulco final for both De Minaur and Ruud, with their only two meetings occurring more than four years ago, sharing a 1-1 win-loss record.
Alex de Minaur past singles results, next match
| Date | Opponent/Result | Tournament/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 29, 2023 | def. 6-4 2-6 7-6(2) by Cameron Norrie | United Cup (group stage) |
| Jan. 1, 2024 | def. Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-2 | United Cup (group stage) |
| Jan. 3, 2024 | def. Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 | United Cup (QF) |
| Jan. 6, 2024 | def. Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-3 6-4 | United Cup (SF) |
| Jan. 10, 2024 | def. Carlos Alcaraz 6-4 5-7 10-3 | Charity Match |
| Jan. 15, 2024 | def. Milos Raonic 6-7(6) 6-3 2-0 | Aus. Open (R1) |
| Jan. 17, 2024 | def. Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-0 6-3 | Aus. Open (R2) |
| Jan. 19, 2024 | def. Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-3 6-1 | Aus. Open (R3) |
| Jan. 21, 2024 | def. by Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 | Aus. Open (R4) |
| Feb. 13, 2024 | def. Sebastian Korda 6-4 6-3 | Rotterdam (R1) |
| Feb. 15, 2024 | def. David Goffin 6-3 6-1 | Rotterdam (R2) |
| Feb. 17, 2024 | def. Andrey Rublev 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 | Rotterdam (QF) |
| Feb. 18, 2024 | def. Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 | Rotterdam (SF) |
| Feb. 19, 2024 | def. by Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-4 | Rotterdam (F) |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | def. by Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-1 | Los Cabos (R1) |
| Feb. 26, 2024 | def. Taro Daniel 6-2 6-1 | Mexican Open (R1) |
| Feb. 29, 2024 | def. Sebastian Ofner 6-1 6-3 | Mexican Open (R2) |
| Mar. 1, 2024 | def. Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 6-3 6-3 | Mexican Open (QF) |
| Mar. 2, 2024 | def. Jack Draper 6-3 2-6 4-0 ret. | Mexican Open (SF) |
| Mar. 3, 2024 | vs. Casper Ruud | Mexican Open (F) |
Alex de Minaur ranking
De Minaur is currently the world No. 9 in men's singles – a career high.
In doubles, the Australian is the world No. 177.
Alex de Minaur prize money
According to the official ATP website, de Minaur has taken home US$12,072,381 (AU$18,460,433) in tournament winnings.
That sum includes prize money from both singles and doubles events.
