The main draw of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco kicks off on Monday, featuring notable matches as top seeds Cameron Norrie and Valentin Vacherot step onto the court against Rafael Jodar and Coleman Wong, respectively.
In a thrilling first-round encounter, Norrie faces off against Rafael Jodar, a rising star in the tennis world. Jodar, a former player from the University of Virginia, has been making waves on the professional circuit. At just 19 years old, he has impressed spectators by defeating Learner Tien at the 2025 NextGen ATP Finals and reaching the second round of the Australian Open as a qualifier. He has also notched up significant achievements, including qualifying in Dallas and securing a match in Delray Beach, where he ultimately fell to Taylor Fritz. His current ranking at No. 114 showcases his rapid ascent in the sport.
Cameron Norrie, on the other hand, has shown a remarkable turnaround following a challenging 2024 season. The British left-hander, now positioned at No. 26 in the world, has recorded six main-tour match victories in 2026. Norrie’s experience at the Acapulco tournament is notable, having previously reached the quarters in 2021, the semis in 2019, and the final in 2022. His seasoned presence could prove pivotal as he faces the younger Jodar.
Moving to the other matchup, Valentin Vacherot prepares to play Coleman Wong, who is looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Patrick Kypson at the final round of qualifying. Wong, who recently participated in Davis Cup matches in Hong Kong and reached the quarterfinals at Delray Beach as a qualifier, is aiming for redemption in Acapulco. His upcoming match against Vacherot marks their first head-to-head encounter; Vacherot, ranked No. 27 and having had ample time to acclimate to the conditions after an early exit in Delray Beach, is set to capitalize on the opportunity.
Anticipation surrounds these matches as both Norrie and Vacherot are expected to deliver strong performances, with Norrie being favored to win his match against Jodar in three sets. This tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of emerging talent and experienced players colliding on the court.