With seven intriguing second-round matches on the slate and a host of star names set to take to the court, expect plenty of entertaining tennis on day three at the ATP Acapulco Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Rafael Nadal vs Stefan Kozlov. But who will secure their spot in the quarterfinals?
ATP Acapulco Day 3 Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Pablo Andujar
Head-to-head: Medvedev 1-0 Andujar
Pablo Andujar may be approaching the end of his career, and in Acapulco on a protected ranking, but he can still hold his own at tour-level. He played some solid tennis during the Golden Swing, reaching the quarterfinals at the ATP Rio Open, and had far too much for Mexican wild card Juan Alejandro Hernandez Serrano, losing just one game in a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 win. Daniil Medvedev, however, will probably not prove quite such obliging opposition.
The Russian returned to action for the first time since the disappointment of his five-set defeat in the Australian Open final with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 win over Benoit Paire. He was more comfortable still when this pair last met, beating Andujar 6-0 6-4 6-3 in the third round at the US Open last season. It’s hard to see any reasons to expect a different outcome this time around. Medvedev has the advantage in just about every area and that should be reflected in the scoreline.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
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Pablo Carreno Busta vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: first meeting
This has the makings of an entertaining match, though Pablo Carreno Busta does look like quite a heavy favourite. Both Marcos Giron and Carreno Busta are solid baseliners, capable of stepping in to dictate when on top in the rally, and both should be at home in the conditions in Acapulco. Carreno Busta opened his campaign with a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 win over Oscar Otte, whilst Giron benefitted from John Millman’s retirement with the Australian trailing 6-7 0-2. He has more options from the back of the court than the American, with his backhand a particularly effective shot. Expect him to have too much for Giron.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 2
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JJ Wolf vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: first meeting
World #209 JJ Wolf is having a fine week at the ATP Acapulco Open. He started his week in the qualifying, beating the veterans Andreas Seppi and former US Open and Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson to reach the main draw. There he battled past Lorenzo Sonego in three sets to score one of the biggest wins of his fledgling career. However, he will likely need to find raise his level further still if he is to get the better of Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek was not at his very best against Laslo Djere, but found a way to get across the line, winning 7-6 7-6. That has been the pattern of Tsitsipas’ season so far. He reached the last four at Melbourne Park and the final in Rotterdam, but was not entirely convincing at either event. Still, it would be a significant surprise to see him fall short against Wolf here. They are separated by 205 places in the rankings for a reason and, even not at his best, Tsitsipas should be winning this match.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
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