A routine closing service game at the 2026 Mexican Open in Acapulco turned into one of the most jarring finishes of the ATP season. Instead of a final rally sealing the outcome, the quarterfinal between Terence Atmane and Miomir Kecmanović ended on a point penalty. With Kecmanović serving at 5-3, advantage, and holding match point, Atmane was assessed a second time violation.
Under ATP rules, that automatic point penalty handed the Serbian a 6-3, 6-3 victory in one hour and 31 minutes. The abrupt conclusion drew loud boos inside the stadium and left many in disbelief as the match ended without another ball being struck.
Terence Atmane’s Grueling Acapulco Run Takes a Physical Toll
The controversy unfolded at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, where the heat and humidity along Mexico’s Pacific coast have long tested players’ endurance, and this week was no exception. Atmane had arrived in the quarterfinals riding momentum after two gritty wins, including a straight-sets upset of 2014 champion Grigor Dimitrov in the opening round.
He then battled past 19-year-old Spanish prospect Rafael Jódar in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, to reach the final eight. Those efforts appeared to take a physical toll before he even stepped onto the court against Kecmanović.
From the outset, Atmane looked physically drained. By early in the second set, trailing 1-2, he called for a medical timeout. Television cameras captured him telling the physio, “I’m sick as f*ck, I’m shaking and sweating like crazy.”
His movement slowed, and his breathing appeared labored. Compounding the issue was the serve clock. Having already received a one-time violation earlier in the match, Atmane found himself under mounting pressure in the final game.
So, what exactly happened on match point between Atmane and Moimir Kecmanović?
With Kecmanović preparing to serve at advantage, Atmane walked to the back corner of the court for his towel, exceeding the allotted time.
Chair umpire Scotty Moore enforced the rule and issued a second violation. Under ATP regulations, a second-time violation while returning results in a point penalty. Because it came on match point, the penalty ended the contest immediately.
The crowd at Arena GNP Seguros responded with sustained boos directed at the chair, clearly frustrated that a tightly fought quarterfinal closed in such technical fashion.
Kecmanović advanced to the semifinals, where he will take on fifth seed Flavio Cobolli. This will be their second meeting on the ATP Tour, with the Serb winning their only match at the 2022 Napoli Open in the first round.
