“(In) the second set I wasn’t feeling good at all,” Machac explained. “I started really bad at the beginning and I was feeling like I lost the rhythm. It was 1-4, 0-40, so I was already trying to focus and find my rhythm for the third set. It was going really well from the beginning of the third set. I was happy that I managed to figure out what to do.”

The Czech will face either Denis Shapovalov or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his first ATP 500 final.

“I will try my best tomorrow,” he assured. “If it’s gonna be tomorrow, I will be happy. If it’s not gonna be tomorrow I will wait for the next one. So I’m just gonna play my tennis and see how far I can go. Today I was handling the situation and the [stressful] moments very [well]. Let’s see what’s gonna happen tomorrow.”

Machac’s run in Acapulco also includes victories over countryman Jakub Mensik (6-4, 2-6, 6-3), German wild card Daniel Altmaier (7-6 (3), 6-1) and American qualifier Learner Tien (6-3, 7-5).

Nakashima, ranked No 42, advanced past Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi (7-6 (6), 7-5), Dane Holger Rune, the No 4 seed (3-0 ret.) and Belgian David Goffin (7-6 (4), 6-2).

Acapulco ATP 500, other semi-final result:

• Denis Shapovalov vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina