Tomas Machac recovered from dropping the opening set to defeat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 in the Madrid Round of 128 on clay. Machac converted two of three break points and won 92 total points to Comesana’s 90 in a match that turned on a second-set tiebreak.
Comesana served brilliantly early, winning 78% of first-serve points and firing 14 aces to claim the first set 6-3. But Machac steadied in the second, using superior depth on his second serve—winning 59% of those points compared to Comesana’s 50%—to force a tiebreak. The Czech seized control at 7-3, then carried that momentum into the decider, breaking twice to close out the comeback in two hours and 18 minutes.
The match statistics revealed razor-thin margins: Machac edged the total points tally by just two, but his ability to control the critical moments—particularly on second-serve return points—proved decisive. His 39 winners offset 31 unforced errors, while Comesana’s cleaner 28-25 ratio couldn’t compensate for his struggles at the back of rallies once the match tightened.
Key Takeaways
- Machac’s second-serve return was the difference-maker: he won 50% of points on Comesana’s second delivery compared to 41% for Comesana on Machac’s second serve, a crucial edge in a match decided by two total points (92-90).
- Despite hitting 14 aces—well above his 6.3 clay-court average—Comesana’s first-serve percentage dropped to 63%, nine points below his recent 72% mark on the surface, undermining his aggressive service game when it mattered most.
- Machac’s 39 winners represented a season-high on clay, exceeding his 22.7 average by 16 winners, while his break point conversion (67%, 2/3) far outpaced Comesana’s 50% (1/2) in a match where just three total break chances decided the outcome.
- The comeback extended Machac’s ability to grind out tight matches: he entered Madrid with a 4-6 recent record but notable wins over Alcaraz and Humbert, while Comesana’s alarming 2-8 skid—including losses to Etcheverry and Carabelli on clay—proved insurmountable once Machac seized the tiebreak.
Player Analysis
Tomas Machac
Machac’s resilience after dropping the opening set showcased the mental fortitude that carried him to wins over Alcaraz and Humbert in recent weeks. His 59% second-serve points won—nine percentage points better than Comesana—allowed him to weather the Argentine’s early ace barrage and impose himself in longer rallies. The 39 winners, a season-high on clay and 16 above his 22.7 average, came at critical junctures: 11 in the second-set tiebreak alone, where he raced to a 7-3 lead and never looked back.
Yet the 31 unforced errors and 64% first-serve percentage suggest Machac still has gears to find on the Madrid clay. His four double faults, above his 2.9 clay-court average, nearly cost him in tight moments. Still, his 67% break point conversion and ability to elevate in the tiebreak—where his 74% first-serve points won became a weapon—demonstrate the shot-making upside that makes him dangerous in best-of-three formats.
Francisco Comesana
Comesana’s first set was a reminder of what made him a threat in last year’s Madrid run: 14 aces and 78% first-serve points won overwhelmed Machac early, and his cleaner 25 unforced errors to 31 winners suggested a player in control. But the cracks appeared when his first-serve percentage dipped to 63%—seven points below his 70% clay-court average—and Machac began targeting his second delivery. Winning just 50% of second-serve points proved fatal in a match this tight.
The loss extends a concerning 2-8 recent slide, with defeats to Etcheverry, Carabelli, and Korda on clay exposing vulnerabilities in extended rallies. Comesana’s 29.1% break point conversion on clay haunted him again here—he created just two chances and converted one, missing the decisive opportunity to consolidate the second set. Without a title to his name and now 6-12 on clay this season, the 23-year-old Argentine faces mounting pressure to rediscover the form that took him deep in Madrid a year ago.
Match Statistics
| Tomas Machac | Stat | Francisco Comesana |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Aces | 14 |
| 4 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 64% | 1st Serve % | 63% |
| 74% | 1st Serve Points Won | 78% |
| 59% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 50% |
| 2/3 | Break Points Won | 1/2 |
| 39 | Winners | 28 |
| 31 | Unforced Errors | 25 |
| 92 | Total Points Won | 90 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Tomas Machac vs Francisco Comesana at Madrid 2026?
Tomas Machac defeated Francisco Comesana 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 in the Round of 128 at the Madrid ATP tournament on April 22, 2026.
How many aces did Francisco Comesana hit against Tomas Machac?
Francisco Comesana hit 14 aces compared to Machac’s 9, but lost the match in three sets after failing to maintain his first-serve dominance.
Who won the Madrid 2026 Round of 128 match?
Tomas Machac won, rallying from a set down to defeat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 in a match decided by just two total points (92-90).
What was the key statistic in Machac’s comeback win over Comesana?
Machac won 59% of second-serve points compared to Comesana’s 50%, a nine-percentage-point gap that allowed him to dominate the second-set tiebreak 7-3 and seize control of the match.
What’s Next
Machac advances to the Round of 64, where he’ll face the winner of the match between qualifier and a likely seeded opponent. With his third career title in sight and confidence building after the Alcaraz win in Barcelona, the Czech will look to sustain this comeback momentum on the Madrid clay.
Head-to-head history: Francisco Comesana vs Tomas Machac.
