Kecmanovic’s Historic Day: Wins Singles and Doubles Titles at Delray Beach Open!

February 16th, 2025

Miomir Kecmanovic def. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (3-6, 6-1, 7-5)

The final of the Delray Beach Open marked the third encounter between Miomir and Alejandro at the professional level. With Miomir winning the two prior matches, it was the perfect time for Alejandro to seek revenge for his losses.

First Set

In the third game, we witnessed an exciting rally featuring short slices, with both players approaching the net for a fantastic point. Both relied heavily on forehand winners to earn their points.

Alejandro held his serve comfortably and secured an early break, surprisingly with strong backhands, before Miomir missed an easy shot at the net.

Forehand exchanges have defined the match so far.

At 2-2 and 30-15, Alejandro made an uncharacteristic error on a short ball that should have been an easy winner, but he immediately redeemed himself with a masterful drop shot.

The game reached deuce, but Miomir produced two unreturned serves to secure the hold.

Alejandro executed a brilliant lob landing right on the baseline to win a crucial point, followed by a forehand winner and a backhand error from Miomir. With that, Alejandro earned three break points. On the next point, he stretched Djokovic-style to maintain a rally and clinched the break to lead 4-2.

Alejandro consolidated the break with a strong service game, extending his lead to 5-2.

Miomir, serving to stay in the set, held without issues.

Now, it was Alejandro’s turn to serve for the set. The game started with Miomir taking the lead at 30-15, but a poor shot selection from him leveled it at 30-30. Alejandro then delivered an ace and followed up with a fantastic crosscourt backhand that Miomir failed to control, sending the ball into the net.

Alejandro claimed the first set.

Second Set

Miomir started strong, winning the first point. Alejandro responded with a forehand rocket to level the game but soon found himself down 15-30. An unreturned serve brought it to 30-30, and after a six-shot forehand exchange, Alejandro had an easy short ball to put away. However, Miomir hit a massive return winner on the second serve, denying him the game. Alejandro managed to hold with a strong set of strokes.

At 1-1 and 15-30, Alejandro attempted a poor drop shot, which Miomir punished with a well-placed stroke. He continued his momentum with an ace, taking a 2-1 lead.

Out of nowhere, Miomir earned two break points and capitalized with a well-executed short slice, forcing Alejandro into an average approach, making for an easy passing shot and the break for a 3-1 lead.

Miomir continued his dominance, sealing another game with an unreturned serve to lead 4-1.

Miomir secured a second break with a series of winners against a resigned Alejandro, making it 5-1.

Miomir, now in cruise control, served two aces for a 40-0 lead. He barely missed a third consecutive ace but still won the game with an unreturned serve, seemingly eager to start the final set.

Third Set

Alejandro started the set serving but lost the first point. He quickly responded with a forehand rocket but found himself down 15-30. An unreturned serve leveled it at 30-30. After an intense forehand exchange, Alejandro had an easy put-away, then Miomir crushed a monstrous return winner to deny him the game. Alejandro fought back with another unreturned serve and a strong set of strokes to hold and lead 1-0.

The best rally of the match came at 30-40, taking the game to deuce. It was so physically demanding that Miomir needed extra time to recover, resulting in a time violation. However, he responded with another strong rally to even the match at 1-1.

Alejandro served at 1-2, hitting an unreturned serve followed by a short ball forehand winner. A double fault brought up another deuce, but he quickly erased Miomir’s opportunity with a brilliant crosscourt backhand and a tough volley to secure the game.

With outstanding shot-making and crucial crosscourt backhands, Alejandro earned a break point. A forced error from Miomir sealed the break, giving Alejandro a 3-1 lead.

In possibly the best rally of the match, Alejandro, affected physically, took almost the full 25 seconds to recover before serving. He managed to escape trouble with another unreturned serve, extending his lead to 4-1. However, it was still only one break away for Miomir.

Alejandro continued his strong form, securing a return winner. Miomir responded with a drop shot, leveling the score. After a few fantastic rallies, Alejandro forced an error from Miomir, putting him on the verge of losing another game. Miomir fought back with a forehand winner to earn game point and eventually held, reducing the deficit to 2-4.

Alejandro fought hard to maintain his lead at 5-2. In Miomir’s next service game, Alejandro took an early lead, creating a window of opportunity. Miomir managed to win a point but soon faced match point. In an incredible rally that required video review, Miomir barely stayed in the match, saving match point with a lucky net-cord volley and securing the game to stay alive at 5-3.

Serving for the match, Alejandro found himself in trouble at 0-15 but responded with powerful shots and an overhead to level at 15-15. Another video review confirmed his next shot had kissed the line, but Miomir fought back to 30-30. Alejandro went all-in on a backhand but missed, losing the game and allowing Miomir to serve at 4-5.

Miomir, down 0-30, produced a strong comeback, capitalizing with an ace to level the match at 5-5.

In a shocking turn of events, Miomir earned three break points. To make matters worse, Alejandro’s shoe broke at a critical moment, and he lost the game.

Miomir now had the opportunity to serve for the match.

After going up 30-0 with an unbelievable get, Miomir faced a resilient Alejandro, who came up with huge shots to earn a break point. However, Miomir quickly erased it.

At 40-40, Miomir used an off-speed serve to jam Alejandro, earning match point. After a good rally, Alejandro delivered a monstrous forehand to bring the game back to deuce.

Miomir wrong-footed Alejandro to gain the advantage and, with an unforced forehand error from Alejandro, secured the title.

After two years of Fritz winning the Open, it was Miomir Kecmanovic’s turn to consolidate his dominance over the Spaniard Davidovich and raise the trophy.

In Doubles Kecmanovic raised the trophy again with partner Brandon Nakashima as they defeated Christian Harrison/Evan King (7-6(3) 1-6 10-3).

Delray Beach Open: Kecmanovic/B. Nakashima d. C. Harrison/E. King 7-6(3) 1-6 10-3.

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