Aleksandar Kovacevic stunned World No. 10 Andrey Rublev for the second time this year to reach the Mifel Tennis Open final in Los Cabos. The American will face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the championship match. Kovacevic’s victory lifts him to a career-high No. 66 in the ATP Live Rankings.
Aleksandar Kovacevic delivered another remarkable performance under the lights of Los Cabos, defeating World No. 10 Andrey Rublev for the second time this year to book his place in the final of the Mifel Tennis Open. The 26-year-old American, who had earlier stunned Rublev in Montpellier in February, once again showcased his grit and composure in a gripping three-set semifinal encounter, prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 29 minutes.
Kovacevic, currently experiencing a breakout season on the ATP Tour, had a slow start, losing the opening set 3-6. Rublev’s powerful baseline game initially proved difficult to handle, and the Russian appeared poised to earn his 250th career hard-court victory. However, Kovacevic turned the tide in the second set, finding his rhythm and capitalizing on Rublev’s growing frustration. A crucial break in the tenth game allowed Kovacevic to level the match.
In the deciding set, the tension escalated as both players held serve early on. Rublev led 4-3 after surviving a tough service game, but it was Kovacevic who found another gear. With exceptional movement, precise shot selection, and unrelenting determination, the American won the final three games to seal the match and punch his ticket to the final.
“I can’t lie but say that once you get a win over a player one time, you believe you can do it again,” said Kovacevic in the post-match interview. “I was not feeling so great to start, but then I really found my energy in the second and third sets. I had a bit of luck going my way, but I’m proud of the way I competed.”
This semifinal triumph marks Kovacevic’s second win over a Top 10 player and elevates his standing in the PIF ATP Live Rankings by ten places, putting him at No. 66. If he wins the title, he could rise as high as No. 56, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Kovacevic now joins the elite group of American finalists in Los Cabos history, becoming the fourth to reach the title round. His performance not only highlights his growing confidence and consistency but also signals the emergence of a new threat on the hard-court circuit.
Standing in his way in the final is third-seeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament. Shapovalov breezed past Australia’s Adam Walton 6-2, 6-2 in just 66 minutes in the other semifinal. He saved all four break points he faced and converted each of his own, maintaining a perfect record without dropping a set in the event.
After returning from a lengthy injury layoff in late 2024, Shapovalov has found his rhythm once again. He began his resurgence with a title run in Belgrade and followed it with an impressive campaign at the Dallas ATP 500, where he defeated three Top 10 players en route to the championship. Now ranked No. 29 in the Live Rankings, Shapovalov is aiming for his fourth ATP Tour title and is playing with renewed energy and focus.
The final between Kovacevic and Shapovalov will be their first-ever Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, setting the stage for an unpredictable showdown. Both players have contrasting styles—Kovacevic relies on grit and relentless baseline rallies, while Shapovalov’s explosive left-handed groundstrokes and court coverage offer a different threat.
Kovacevic, however, remains grounded. “Every match is a new challenge. I thought about how I was going to play against [Rublev], but you can’t think too much of the past, whether it’s good or bad,” he said. “You have to stay present and fight for every point.”
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With momentum on his side and history within reach, Kovacevic will look to cap off a dream run in Los Cabos with his maiden ATP title. But Shapovalov, armed with experience and form, will have other plans as both players chase silverware in what promises to be a high-octane finale.
