Alexander Davidovich let out a deep sigh, his eyes fixed on the court as he walked off, defeated. He had come so close to claiming his first career title in Delray Beach, only to have it slip through his fingers. The Spanish player had been on a roll, enjoying a notable improvement in 2025, and his run in this 250 category tournament had been nothing short of impressive. He had taken down big names like Taylor Fritz, the fourth-ranked player in the world and the defending champion, to reach the final.
A Tough Loss to Swallow
But in the end, it was Miomir Kecmanovic who stood tall, claiming the title with a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory. Kecmanovic had been calm and collected, even when faced with two game points and a 5-2 deficit in the final set. He drew on his experience, having played in his fifth final, to pull off an incredible comeback. This was his second title, following his win in Kitzbuehel, Austria, back in 2020. For Davidovich, it was a tough pill to swallow – his second final, and second loss, after being defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters.
A Promising Start
Davidovich had started strong, breaking Kecmanovic’s serve early and taking a 4-2 lead. He looked authoritative and in control, closing out the first set with ease. But Kecmanovic was not one to give up easily. He had a history with Davidovich, having beaten him twice as a junior and twice as a professional, including in the 2019 Next Gen Finals and again in Basel in 2022. The Serbian player reacted well to the early setback, breaking Davidovich’s serve in the second set and forging ahead.
A Comeback for the Ages
The second set was a rout, with Kecmanovic taking it 6-1. But Davidovich refused to give up. He came out strong in the third set, breaking Kecmanovic’s serve and taking a 5-2 lead. He had two game points, and it seemed like the title was within his grasp. But he couldn’t close it out. The errors crept in, and Kecmanovic pounced, taking advantage of Davidovich’s lapse in focus. The Serbian player didn’t forgive, closing out the match after two hours and twelve minutes of grueling tennis.
A Harsh Lesson
For Davidovich, it was a harsh lesson in the importance of closing out matches. He had come so close to his first title, only to have it slip away. The defeat would sting, but he would have to learn from it and move on. The young Spanish player had shown tremendous promise, and it was only a matter of time before he broke through and claimed his first title. But for now, he would have to settle for the runner-up spot, and the knowledge that he had given it his all.