It’s time for the quarterfinal round of the 2023 ATP Mexican Open in Acapulco. Second seed Casper Ruud was eliminated on Wednesday, leaving Taylor Fritz as the highest-ranked player still in the field. The American has a tough challenge ahead of him though with Frances Tiafoe as his quarterfinal rival. Who do you think will prevail?
ATP Acapulco Quarterfinal Predictions
Mackenzie McDonald vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Paul 1-0
Tommy Paul wasn’t himself in Delray Beach due to an illness, but he looks back to his best in Acapulco so far. These two have actually faced at this event before with the recent Australian Open semifinalist winning 6-7 6-4 6-4 in 2020. He’ll be the favorite to clinch this tie again as Mackenzie McDonald would rather contest this one on a bit of a faster court. Here, Paul should be prepared for most of what his compatriot will throw at him.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Alex de Minaur vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: de Minaur 1-0
Alex de Minaur gave Taro Daniel just three games at the US Open five years ago. It’s unlikely to be this lopsided as the Japanese has a much better serve now and is coming off one of the best wins of his career over Casper Ruud. However, stylistically de Minaur is not an easy target for him. He plays a fairly similar game, but is faster and more consistent, executing the core of Daniel’s game a tiny bit better than he himself can.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Fritz 5-1
This was a very exciting rivalry last year, although Taylor Fritz ended up taking all three matches. However, they were all really tight with even the straight-set win consisting of two tie-breakers. Who’s the favorite now? It’s still Fritz, who made the final on these courts in 2020 (lost to Rafael Nadal) and is currently on a six-match win streak along with a title at Delray Beach. His second-round win over Denis Shapovalov was quite impressive as well.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Holger Rune
Head-to-head: Berrettini 1-0
Holger Rune kept it very close against Matteo Berrettini in Indian Wells last year, which feels like ages ago with how far the Dane has come since. The wrist injury that forced him to retire in Rotterdam seems healed and the 19-year-old dropped just two games against Nuno Borges yesterday, not giving his opponent much of a chance. This will be a real test for Berrettini too as the Italian has only played two matches since the Australian Open and none of them against a player of this class. If Rune’s timing on return will be as good as in their last meeting, he should take this one.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
