Valentin Vacherot and Brandon Nakashima to clash in Acapulco quarterfinal

The two players will meet for the second time in their careers on Thursday in Mexico

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Valentin Vacherot and Brandon Nakashima are set to face off in the quarterfinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco on Thursday. This will be the second career meeting between the two players, with Nakashima holding a 1-0 head-to-head advantage after winning their previous encounter in 2018. Both players have had strong starts to the tournament, with Vacherot defeating Chak Lam Coleman Wong and Gael Monfils to reach the quarterfinals, while Nakashima got past Elias Ymer and Patrick Kypson.

Why it matters

This matchup features two rising stars in men's tennis, with Vacherot ranked 27th and Nakashima 29th in the world. The winner will advance to the semifinals of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, an important step in their pursuit of ATP titles and higher rankings.

The details

Vacherot, a 27-year-old Monegasque, has a 7-4 record so far in 2026, including a 5-4 mark on hard courts. He reached the quarterfinals with straight-set wins over Chak Lam Coleman Wong and Gael Monfils. Nakashima, a 29-year-old American, is 8-4 this year, 7-3 on hard courts. He defeated Elias Ymer and Patrick Kypson in his first two matches in Acapulco.

  • The Vacherot-Nakashima match is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 9:00 pm local time.
  • Their previous meeting was in 2018 at the USA F25 Challenger in Laguna Niguel, California, where Nakashima won 7-6(6), 6-3.

The players

Valentin Vacherot

A 27-year-old Monegasque tennis player currently ranked 27th in the world. He has a 7-4 record so far in 2026 and reached the quarterfinals in Acapulco with straight-set wins over Chak Lam Coleman Wong and Gael Monfils.

Brandon Nakashima

A 29-year-old American tennis player currently ranked 29th in the world. He has an 8-4 record in 2026, including a 7-3 mark on hard courts, and defeated Elias Ymer and Patrick Kypson to reach the quarterfinals in Acapulco.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winner of the Vacherot-Nakashima match will advance to the semifinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco.

The takeaway

This quarterfinal matchup between Valentin Vacherot and Brandon Nakashima features two rising stars in men's tennis, both looking to take another step towards an ATP title by reaching the semifinals in Acapulco.