Davidovich will have to keep waiting

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Montecarlo 2022, Delray Beach 2025, and Acapulco 2025. Not even the saying has saved Alejandro Davidovich from an objective that continues to elude him at this stage of the game. His first professional title will have to wait after suffering another defeat this morning against Tomas Machac (7-6, 6-2), the man who found his weaknesses in Mexico to remind him that he will have to keep working if he truly wants to lift the champion's trophy. A very close match that started to unravel after the first set, the moment when 'Foki' also began losing faith in victory.

It was 4:00 in the morning in Spain, but the plan was not to sleep. Alejandro Davidovich was waiting for us on television, one of ours, one of the players of the moment, perhaps the most talented player in the men's circuit who still does not have a professional title. Staying up late was worth it considering that the Malaga native was playing the final of the Acapulco tournament after having reached the final in Delray Beach a week ago. Facing him was Tomas Machac, who also aimed for the same goal: to open his record after facing some disappointments. An open, unexpected clash filled with excitement from the very beginning.

Look at what happened in the first set, almost like turning back the clock where neither gave up a single break point. The games were swift, the exchanges electric, not to mention the quality of shots that delighted the spectators. They had to reach the tiebreak for the balance to tip in favor of one of them, a critical moment where a single ball can define your destiny. Davidovich had the first set point, but then the Czech unleashed a powerful serve to neutralize it. Moments later, Machac positioned himself on that same launching pad, but this time he did not miss. With a 100% first-serve points won, the tennis player from Beroun took a step ahead.

As always after the first act, the cracks in the match started to show on both sides. In the early games of the second set, we already saw break points for both, but who would be the one to seize them? Once again, Davidovich let them slip away first, and once again, Machac was quicker. After 85 flawless minutes from the Malaga native, something in his mind hit a wall when he got broken to be 7-6, 3-2 behind. From the gesture his coach, Félix Mantilla, made, it seemed like he had reached his limit, not feeling comfortable with the court, his opponent, or his own performance. However, often confronting these demons can free you up to play looser and take the drama out of the situation. Or at least that's what we hoped when we saw the 0-30 in the next game.

ONCE AGAIN FALLING SHORT

Maybe it wasn't meant to be, or perhaps the other was better, or maybe that final ingredient is still missing to emerge victorious in events like this. Watching Machac turn around that game to confirm 4-2 and seeing Davidovich's reaction after losing it, the reality is that perhaps this recipe needs a few extra minutes of mental baking. Because he has had more than enough tennis skills since he appeared on the circuit, but sustaining that competitive focus throughout a whole week is challenging. It's enough to lose concentration for a couple of games, and someone else will snatch the opportunity from you.

Davidovich never regained his game, showing frustration with himself and displaying a certain lack of attitude in the final stretches. Seeing the chance slip away hurt so much that he couldn't manage it, yet nobody doubts that this is the path. With two finals in two months of the calendar, he currently ranks tenth in the Race this year. Meaning that only eight players have earned more points than him between January and February. These stats may do little to alleviate the frustration he must be feeling right now, but mark my words, 2025 won't end without the Spaniard donning the champion's mantle. I bet on it.

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