Australian Alex de Minaur returns against American Tommy Paul in the final of the Mexican Tennis Open, Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Acapulco (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Alex de Minaur rallied to defeat Tommy Paul 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 on Saturday to earn the biggest title of his career by winning the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis In Acapulco.

The 24-year-old Australian won his seventh career title and his first 500 tournament. The first six were all ATP 250 tournaments, the last of which was in Atlanta last year.

De Minaur, who entered Mexico 22nd, will drop to 18th on Monday, close to his career-high 15th in 2021.

Thus, De Minaur joins fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios (2019) as champions in Mexico. Bernard Tomic was vice-champion in 2016.

Paul, who beat fifth-ranked Taylor Fritz on Friday night after three hours and 26 minutes, was chasing his second career title after Stockholm in 2021.

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