It’s time to wrap up the opening round of the 2023 ATP Mexican Open in Acapulco. For the first time in their careers, the Berrettini brothers are playing in the same ATP Tour event (it’s actually a full-on main tour debut for Jacopo). Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Acapulco Day 2 Predictions
Jacopo Berrettini vs Oscar Otte
Head-to-head: First meeting
Quite a story with Jacopo Berrettini making the main draw to join his brother. While the 24-year-old scored a couple of upset wins in the qualifying, his path was far from the strongest. Even an out of form Oscar Otte (just two wins for the season) is likely going to be one bridge too far.
Prediction: Otte in 2
Alex de Minaur vs Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez is Mexico’s most talented prospect. The 17-year-old grabbed a set against Denis Kudla here in 2022 and pushed Borna Gojo to a tie-break in Monterrey last week. His game is still raw and immature though and a player as consistent as Alex de Minaur is likely to capitalize on that.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Norrie 3-1
Cameron Norrie chose to precede Acapulco with a couple of events in South America this time, which worked out extremely well. Having lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Buenos Aires final, he went on to defeat the former World No. 1 in Rio de Janeiro. However, with the fatigue and the jump between surfaces, it feels like Adrian Mannarino has a real chance at the upset here. He did lose to Aleksandar Kovacevic in the opening round at Monterrey last week, but it was a high-quality match against a peaking opponent. Mannarino is also one of the toughest players to face when you’re tired with his angles and flat balls.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Alex Molcan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Matteo Berrettini will be looking to bounce back after a nail-biting contest against Andy Murray at the Australian Open. He has Alex Molcan as his first opponent and should be quite happy about that draw. The Slovakian had a very rough time during the Golden Swing and isn’t at the peak of his powers right now, plus he’s generally less dangerous on hard courts.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
