Alex de Minaur's path laid out ahead of quest for third title in Mexico

(Getty/Matthew Stockman)

Already an Acapulco champion on two previous occasions, Alex de Minaur is looking to make it a hat-trick in Mexico.

De Minaur, who turned 27 on Tuesday, has fond memories of the ATP 500 event, having gone back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 by defeating Tommy Paul and Casper Ruud in the finals, respectively.

The world No.6 has the chance to claim two titles in as many weeks, having clinched the Rotterdam 500 crown against Felix Auger-Aliassime after falling short in the 2024 and 2025 deciders.

If de Minaur is to win his 12th ATP title, he is projected to meet fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semi-finals, whom he defeated in last year's Washington Open final, before a potential clash with top seed and 2021 winner Alexander Zverev in the final.

The Aussie kicks off his campaign against a qualifier in the 32-player draw.

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Other Australians in action include James Duckworth (first round v Dalibor Svrčina), Adam Walton (first round v Aleksandar Kovacevic) and Tristan Schoolkate (first round v Miomir Kecmanović), with the latter drawn in the same section as Zverev to meet in the round of 16.

After Bernard Tomic's second set retirement against Nicolás Mejía, former world No.62 Rinky Hijikata is the sole Aussie remaining in qualifying.

The main draw commences on Tuesday.

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