There was no shortage of entertainment over the first two days at the Mexican Open in Acapulco and that looks set to continue on a packed day three. All 16 of the players left in the men’s draw are in action, including Rafael Nadal, who faces Miomir Kecmanovic, with a place in the quarterfinals on the line. But who will book their place in the last eight?
Mexican Open Day Three Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tommy Paul has made an excellent start to 2020 and he has continued that fine form at the Mexican Open, coming through the qualifying by beating Danilo Petrovic, the Serb retired trailing 6-7 0-1, and Daniel Elahi Galan, 6-4 6-4. He then won an all-American battle with Mackenzie McDonald in the first round of the main draw, advancing a 6-7 6-4 6-4 winner. But he looks set to face a stern test in the second round up against world #7 Alexander Zverev.
The German, seeded second in Acapulco, reached the first Grand Slam semifinal of his career at the Australian Open last month and will surely be targeting a deep run at the Mexican Open. It took him a while to get up to full speed in his opener against Jason Jung, but he was ultimately a fairly comfortable 7-6 6-1 victor, with his power too much for the Taiwanese to handle. Expect Paul, who has more weaponry than Jung, to offer more resistance. But if Zverev stays composed, he should have enough to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Ugo Humbert vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Taylor Fritz finished his first-round clash strongly with John Millman, beating the Australian 7-5 3-6 6-1 to reach the second round. Ugo Humbert, meanwhile, advanced courtesy of Nick Kyrgios’ retirement after the first set, with the defending champion pulling out with a wrist injury. Just eight places separate this pair in the ATP rankings and this looks likely to be a close contest. But what may give the Californian Fritz the edge is his superior backhand and his ability to go down the line off both wings, which should be rewarded on the relatively slow courts at the Mexican Open.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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John Isner vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Isner 1-0 Giron
After a frustrating start to the season, with a recurrence of the foot injury that badly disrupted his 2019 season forcing him to retire in the third round at the Australian Open, John Isner got back to winning ways in Acapulco. Seeded fifth this week, the big-serving American overpowered the wildcard Mischa Zverev to claim a much-needed win in his opener. Waiting for him in the second round is his compatriot, Marcos Giron, who qualified into the main draw.
Giron finished 2019 impressively, winning a Challenger title in Houston and a top 100 debut looks within reach for the Californian, particularly if he can find a way into the main draw in Indian Wells or Miami. In the first round in Acapulco, he edged out home hope and wildcard Gerald Lopez Villasenor, but it is hard to see him repeating the feat against Isner. Giron is a solid player, without an obvious weakness, but he also has no real weapons. The same cannot be said of Isner.
Prediction: Isner in 2
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Stan Wawrinka vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: first meeting
Stan Wawrinka, slowly but surely, looks to be getting back towards his best. After missing the brief European indoors swing through injury, he made a winning return to action by edging past Frances Tiafoe in a third-set tiebreak in the first round at the Mexican Open. Tiafoe played some excellent tennis in that match, so Wawrinka will surely have been pleased to have held off his challenge. His serve was particularly impressive, with the Swiss hammering 35 aces past his opponent.
Pedro Martinez, who enjoyed a fine spell on the clay during the Golden Swing, proved too good for Radu Albot, who is working his way back from injury, winning 6-3 6-2. The Spaniard, still just 22, looks likely to break into the top 100 sooner rather than later and should have a fine career ahead of him. But it is hard to see him beating Wawrinka. The Swiss thrives in slower conditions, which suit his power game, and he should be able to hit through Martinez without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 2
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