The ATP Acapulco 500 tournament gets underway on hard courts in Mexico on Monday with the likes of John Isner and Alexander Zverev taking to the courts. It’s a day full of German and American players in action. Here’s a look at the first round action with predictions for every Monday match.
Fernando Verdasco vs John Isner
The veteran pair have split meetings, Isner was a semifinalist in Dallas after starting the year poorly. He’s not the player he was, but his serve is still a big threat on hard courts and he plays best in North America. Verdasco is having a bit of a late career resurgence, he’s still a shell of the top 10 player he was, but that forehand remains vicious, and he was a quarterfinalist in Buenos Aires. Isner should be able to get this match to tiebreaks, and win them. Isner in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs Taylor Fritz
With three consecutive quarterfinals, Mannarino is in impressive form. He’s lost twice to Reilly Opelka, and also Alexander Zverev in recent weeks, players who are all a level above him, while beating players at or below his level. He also reached the second week of the Australian Open, falling to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in a competitive match. Fritz for his part was a quarterfinalist in Dallas and is 6-3 on the season. The American is a former finalist in Acapulco, this is their first meeting, and Mannarino will be playing with more confidence, I’ll give the veteran French player an edge. Mannarino in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs Maxime Cressy
Cressy edged Dimitrov in the Adelaide semifinal at the opening of the season. The serve and volleyer was great down under, but has been struggling in North America, losing tough opening matches in Dallas and Delray Beach. Dimitrov has been average so far this season, given the surface and the h2h, Cressy looks better positioned to get the opening match win. Cressy in 3
Dusan Lajovic vs Sebastian Korda
The veteran Lajovic has struggled to open the season, Korda is the stronger player on hard courts and was a quarterfinalist in Delray Beach. Korda should get off to a solid start this week in Acapulco. Korda in 2
Jenson Brooksby vs Alexander Zverev
Zverev beat Brooksby in three sets in their only meeting, the American was a finalist in Dallas and has been excellent on hard courts since last season. Zverev reached the final in Montpellier and should have more upside to his game than Brooksby. This is a great first round match, Zverev is the favorite but will have to fight for it. Zverev in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Peter Gojowczyk
Nakashima was a quarterfinalist in Sydney after a career year in 2021. Gojowczyk actually lost his final round qualifying match but made the draw as a lucky loser, the German hasn’t made the second round of an ATP level main draw since last season and has been mired in poor form for months. Nakashima should be able to get the win here. Nakashima in 2
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Oscar Otte
The qualifier Otte is at a career high ranking in the top 100, the German has yet to make his mark on the ATP Tour but he’s been an accomplished standout on the ATP Challenger Tour for a couple of years. Carreno Busta had a great ATP Cup and a solid Australian Open (reaching the second week), while losing his opening match in Rio on clay. On hard courts he’s a solid player, Otte should test him, but the higher ranked Spaniard has a more well-rounded game. Carreno Busta in 3
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