Day 2 of main draw play at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, Mexico sees first-round action continue, with some of the game’s biggest stars taking center stage. As always, we are here to predict the matches for you. We will look at all nine matches split between this and a second article, which includes Rafael Nadal vs Denis Kudla.
ATP Acapulco Day 2 Predictions
Feliciano Lopez vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Lopez is very clearly on the tail end of his career, but it’s been an incredible one. Nishioka, with a solid baseline game, is probably too strong for him at this point, but is a good matchup for the Spaniard. Lopez’s serve will do damage on this surface, and if he can force tiebreaks he might be able to squeak out a win.
Prediction: Lopez in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Tommy Paul
This should be a good matchup. Berrettini is one of the best in the world on fast surfaces, but his baseline game can be inconsistent. Paul, meanwhile, has very quietly risen into the ranks of the top players. If Berrettini isn’t 100% on, the American can sneak an upset.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Alex Hernandez vs Pablo Andujar
Hernandez couldn’t have asked for a much better draw here. The local wild card will be way out of his depth at this event. Hernandez is ranked outside the Top 500, and Andujar was the best possible draw for him; it won’t be enough.
Prediction: Andujar in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Benoit Paire
This is a matchup of two mercurial players, though Paire is both more mercurial and less talented. Then again, we haven’t seen Medvedev take the court since his heartbreaking loss in the Australian Open final (and the emotional aftermath), and it’s hard to predict exactly what Medvedev we’ll get when he comes out.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
