Sam Querrey became the first American champion at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel after an upset victory over second seed Rafael Nadal in Acapulco.
Nadal, a two-time champion in the Mexican city when the event was played on clay, was no match for Querrey as he ran out a 6-3 7-6 (7/3) victor for his ninth career title and seven on a hardcourt.
The first set went with serve for the first six games before Querrey went on an 11-point run and secured the lone break in the set to go 5-3 up. A forehand winner from his second set point wrapped up the set.
Nadal played with more aggression in the second set and Querrey had to save five break points at 3-4 - three of which he did with aces.
But Nadal wilted first in the tie-break as two baseline errors put wide allowed Querrey to take a 6-3 lead and a long forehand from Nadal gave the American victory.
It capped a fine week for the American who beat four top-20 players in the tournament having lost his previous seven encounters with such opponents.
"It's definitely a tournament that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life," he said. "It was just one of those weeks where I got in the zone and everything was working for me. I hope I can have more like this."
Nadal said Querrey had played a near-perfect match.
"He played very well, almost reaching perfection," said the Spaniard, who had been looking to win his first hardcourt title in more than three years.
"I played under a lot of pressure because of his serve and baseline game. He left me with very few options, and the few I had he also played good. I have to congratulate him. I'm also very happy with my week and my game."
At the Brasil Open, Pablo Cuevas beat top seed Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets to reach the final.
Third seed Cuevas won 6-3 7-6 (7/2) and will meet second seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas after he got the better of Joao Sousa 6-7 (5/7) 7-5 6-2.
