Altmaier Stuns Zverev and Moves on to Second Round of Mexican Open 

Germany's Daniel Altmaier celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev during the Mexico ATP Open 500 men's round of 32 tennis match at Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico on February 27, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Daniel Altmaier celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev during the Mexico ATP Open 500 men's round of 32 tennis match at Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico on February 27, 2024. (AFP)
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Altmaier Stuns Zverev and Moves on to Second Round of Mexican Open 

Germany's Daniel Altmaier celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev during the Mexico ATP Open 500 men's round of 32 tennis match at Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico on February 27, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Daniel Altmaier celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev during the Mexico ATP Open 500 men's round of 32 tennis match at Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico on February 27, 2024. (AFP)

Daniel Altmaier pulled off a major upset on Tuesday, beating top seeded Alexander Zverev in a battle of German players to qualify for the second round of the Mexican Open.

The 27-year-old Altmaier and world's 57th ranked player defeated his countryman for the first time in three tries in 2:26 hours and will play Miomir Kecmanovic next.

Zverev, sixth in the ATP rankings, lost a seven-match winning streak against German players. His previous loss against one was in 2019, when he fell to Dustin Brow, in Stuttgart.

Earlier, second-seeded Holger Rune eased past American Michael Mmoh 6-2, 6-3 and advanced to the second round.

Rune, ranked seventh in the ATP, needed 92 minutes to dispatch Mmoh, who made his way into the main draw through the qualification tournament.

The 20-year-old Rune, from Denmark, reached the semifinals in Acapulco last year and now will meet Aleksandar Kovacevic, who took care of Jordan Thompson 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Earlier, fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-4 and moved on to the second round where he will face Flavio Cobolli.

The 25-year-old Greek reached the semifinals last week in Los Cabos, Mexico, and is trying to win his first career 500 tournament.

Also Tuesday, Frances Tiafoe, seeded eighth, rallied to beat Max Purcell 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. He moved on to face Dominik Koepfer, who took care of Terence Atmane 6-4, 4—6, 6-0.

Tiafoe is the highest-ranked American player in contention in the tournament after fourth-seeded Taylor Fritz and seventh-seeded Tommy Paul were knocked out on Monday.

In another result, Casper Ruud outlasted Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 and moved on to the second round.

Ruud is going to play against Dusan Lajovic, who beat local Rodrigo Pacheco 6-2, 6-2.



Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
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Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA

Executive Director of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Fouad bin Fahd Ibrahim crowned Saudi rider Abdullah Al-Zaidi as the champion of the 120 km Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup, held in AlUla.

The event was organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the federation.

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h, SPA reported.
The competition featured intense rivalry among riders across its four stages.

In addition to the main event, the program included several associated races, such as an international 140 km race, an international 100 km race, and two local qualifying races of 40 km and 80 km.