Frances Tiafoe will look to see off the challenge of Mattia Bellucci at the Mexican Open on Thursday. The American is one of the top seeds still in contention in Acapulco amid a flurry of early-round upsets. Bellucci, on the other hand, has been turning on the style in Mexico after a difficult start to the year, and will be aiming to spring a surprise.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Mattia Bellucci Match Details
Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Tournament: Mexican Open 2026
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Arena GNP Seguros, Acapulco, Mexico
Surface: Outdoor hard
Category: ATP 500
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel, Sky Sports, TSN, TVA
Tiafoe vs. Bellucci Head-to-Head
This will only be the second meeting between Tiafoe and Bellucci on the ATP Tour. It was the former who came out on top the last time these two met, back in the 2024 French Open. A nail-biting contest ended in Tiafoe’s favor after five hard-fought sets. He won 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4.
After an encouraging 2025, Tiafoe hasn’t been able to make the impact he would have liked so far this year. While he did make the quarterfinals last week at Delray Beach (losing to Learner Tien in three sets), his performances so far in 2026 have left a lot to be desired.
Tiafoe claimed a comfortable win over Nuno Borges in the first round in Mexico, before earning a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7) win over Aleksandar Kovacevic to secure his spot in the quarterfinals.
Bellucci, on the other hand, had yet to win a main draw match on the ATP Tour in 2026 prior to the Mexican Open. He has not dropped a set so far in Acapulco, defeating Rinky Hijikata and fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina en route to the quarterfinals.
The Italian will be buoyed by his triumph over the world No. 14 and will look to pull off another upset on Thursday.
Tiafoe vs. Bellucci Prediction
Tiafoe’s dramatic win over Kovacevic in the third-set tie-break once again showcased his resilience. Bellucci will be full of confidence after his stunning 6-3, 6-3 win over Davidovich Fokina.
The American has had a much better season so far and will certainly be the favorite to win on Thursday. Even when he hasn’t won, his matches of late have gone down to the wire.
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Three of Tiafoe’s last four matches have gone to three sets, and tiredness could possibly come into play. The left-handed Bellucci could look to take advantage of that, especially if he manages to unlock his first serve.
But Tiafoe comes into this one battle-hardened on the back of his recent grueling battles. And he is our pick to come out on top here.
Pick – Tiafoe to win in three sets
