Tomas Machac completes brilliant debut at UTS Guadalajara with maiden title

Tomas “The Air Machete” Machac beat David “The Wall” Goffin in the final of UTS Guadalajara, prevailing 17-15, 16-14, 19-10 in Guadalajara on Sunday evening.

The Czech capped off a brilliant UTS debut, beating Goffin for the second time in three days to maintain his undefeated record in Guadalajara.

“It couldn’t be better,” Machac declared after the final. “I was really happy that I can be here. I managed to play my best tennis here and the final was great.

“Today I was feeling great on the court, especially with the altitude.”

By winning the event, Machac becomes the first player to win a UTS tournament on debut since Jack Draper won the UTS Grand Final in 2023.

He also books his own place in the 2025 UTS Grand Final, to be played this December.

Machac makes it two from two against Goffin

Machac won his earlier meeting against Goffin on Friday 3-0, but, since then, the veteran has been playing at a much higher level. It showed on Sunday, with a gripping opening quarter.

The Czech was the first to open up a lead, winning eight points in a row from 5-5 in the first quarter. Goffin pegged it back though, successfully playing his card to snap Machac’s momentum and close the gap to 13-10.

The Belgian won his opponent’s card, but the quarter-point still came at 16-12 in Machac’s favour. Goffin pulled back three of these before falling 17-15 to go down 1-0 after one quarter.

“It would be better maybe to take the lead earlier, than to try and steal it,” the 34-year-old reflected between quarters.

Machac turned up the heat in quarter two, winning a fantastic dive-roll volley on the sixth point.

This brilliance was a foreshadowing of what would take place later in the quarter, with the 24-year-old turning the tables and stealing the second 16-14, after Goffin held quarter point.

The writing looked to be on the wall when Machac pulled ahead early in the third, but Goffin showed his trademark fighting spirit to claw his way back into the quarter at 9-9.

Cards again made the difference, however, with Machac producing another magical volley on Goffin’s card before winning his own to go ahead 18-10.

The Czech sealed his maiden UTS title in style, firing down an ace to claim the final 3-0.

Goffin knocks out Ruud

Earlier in the day, Goffin beat Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud in the semi-finals of UTS Guadalajara, prevailing 11-15, 18-12, 7-21, 17-13, 2-1.

The victory was Goffin’s second sudden death win in a row, having scraped his way into the Final Four with a come-from-behind victory over Flavio Cobolli yesterday.

“It was a tough match, another sudden death,” Goffin said after the match. “I just had to stick to the plan, take the ball early, otherwise he’s too good here in these conditions.

“I felt the nerves. But, in this case, it’s good nerves. Good nerves that make you feel brave to go. It worked, so really happy.”

Playing in hot, sunny conditions in Guadalajara, both players were full of errors to begin the match.

However, Norway’s Ruud – the most experienced UTS player at the event – was the first to rein in his game, winning his 10th consecutive quarter to get on the board first.

Goffin hit back well though, claiming the second quarter, before being thrashed 21-7 in the third.

“I didn’t feel very good. From 6-6, 7-7, I began to hit better,” Ruud explained of his strong performance in the third.

But again, The Wall bounced back, winning the fourth and forcing sudden death.

After The Ice Man won the opening point of sudden death, Goffin was forced to defend match point, winning two in a row to book his place in the final of UTS Guadalajara.

Machac races past Mannarino

Machac booked his place in the final courtesy of a 18-13, 14-13, 17-9 victory over Adrian “Manna” Mannarino in the semi-finals of UTS Guadalajara on Sunday.

The Czech, playing in his maiden UTS tournament, will face Belgian David Goffin in the final on Sunday afternoon and remains undefeated across the tournament.

“Today was much, much better than yesterday,” said Machac said after the match. “I was a little bit more used to the service, altitude. I finally felt a little bit of something on the court.”

It was a tight start to the match with neither player able to build a significant lead over the opening half of the first quarter.

Just when Machac managed to get his nose in front, Mannarino played his card to draw level again at 11-11. But The Air Machete finished strong, winning his own card and racing out to 17-12 by the time quarter point rolled around and claiming it on his second attempt.

“I try to always take advantage of the bonus cards because we don’t have them on the ATP Tour,” said Machac between quarters after winning his ninth card from 12 attempts.

The second quarter featured quite possibly the rally of the tournament, with a 30-shot war unfolding on Machac’s card. 

Mannarino prevailed, but the Czech managed to win two quick points in the aftermath, forcing a deciding point to end the quarter. Machac’s momentum saw him over the line once again, building a 2-0 quarter lead.

The first two quarters clearly took their toll on the 36-year-old Frenchman, with Manna falling behind 8-0 early in the third.

While he pegged the gap back to 16-9 by quarter point, the match quickly became a formality as Machac booked his spot in the UTS Guadalajara final on Sunday.