Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6 to Win Acapulco Open

Carlos Alcaraz continued his excellent start to the 2026 season by capturing the Acapulco Open title on Sunday, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(3) in a high-quality final at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess resort. The 22-year-old Spaniard's second ATP title of the year solidifies his position as one of the early favorites for the upcoming clay court season.

Alcaraz controlled the match from the baseline, using his superior court coverage and aggressive return game to neutralize Tsitsipas's powerful serve and forehand. The world No. 2 broke serve early in the first set and never relinquished control, consistently finding angles and winners when the pressure was highest.

"I felt really comfortable on this court all week," Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony. "The conditions here suit my game perfectly, and I was able to play aggressive tennis against Stefanos, who is always a tough opponent. This victory gives me a lot of confidence heading into Indian Wells and Miami."

The second set proved more competitive, with both players holding serve until the tiebreak. Tsitsipas showed flashes of his best tennis, particularly with his signature one-handed backhand down the line, but Alcaraz's mental toughness proved decisive in the crucial moments of the tiebreak.

Alcaraz jumped to a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak with a spectacular passing shot winner, then sealed the victory with an ace down the center that Tsitsipas could only watch sail past him. The Spanish crowd favorite dropped to his knees in celebration, clearly emotional after capturing his 16th career ATP title.

"Carlos played at an incredible level today," Tsitsipas acknowledged graciously. "His movement and shot-making in the big points was exceptional. I had my opportunities, but he stepped up when it mattered most. Congratulations to him and his team on a well-deserved victory."

The victory extends Alcaraz's winning streak to 11 matches, including his title run at the Australian Open in January. The young Spaniard has looked increasingly comfortable on hard courts, addressing what many considered a weakness in his otherwise complete game.

Tsitsipas, seeking his first title since the Monte Carlo Masters last April, showed positive signs despite the defeat. The Greek player's aggressive style and improved movement suggest he's finding his best form ahead of the clay court swing, where he has historically performed well.

Alcaraz now turns his attention to the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where he will be the top seed and heavy favorite. His early-season form suggests he could be poised for another dominant year on the ATP Tour, potentially challenging for the year-end No. 1 ranking once again.