Alexander Zverev won the ATP 500 Acapulco title in 2021 and made the 2019 final, but he’s not coming into this edition with much momentum after a first appearance at the Golden Swing ended up far less glamorous than expected. He’s facing Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round and will try to improve on his performance from last year, when he lost to Daniel Altmaier at this very stage. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Acapulco Day 2 Predictions
Benjamin Bonzi vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: First meeting
The start to the season hasn’t been ideal for Brandon Nakashima, although he did make Delray Beach quarterfinals in his last event. Acapulco should be a decent opportunity to build something up again, especially with the return issues that have been plaguing him probably somewhat neutralized by the slow conditions. Benjamin Bonzi hasn’t quite pushed on from his late 2024 glory and Nakashima should just be a class ahead on an outdoor hard court generally
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Alex Michelsen vs Bu Yunchaokete
Head-to-head: Michelsen 2-0
Alex Michelsen defeated Bu Yunchaokete twice in the last few months of last season, but there is at least a bit more to that story with the Metz quarterfinal being pretty difficult and Shanghai coming right after the Chinese had a big run in Beijing. Nonetheless, it’s definitely the American’s game that is developing better this season. Bu still hasn’t shown us he can pull off the upsets from the Asian Swing consistently and it won’t be easy to get that going here.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Alejandro Pacheco Mendez
Head-to-head: Vukic 1-0
Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez granted Aleksandar Vukic a difficult two-set match in Los Cabos this time last year, but it doesn’t feel like the former junior No. 1 has made some amazing progress since. He’s also focused his campaign so far on clay courts and his previous Acapulco appearances were beatdown losses to Alex de Minaur and Dusan Lajovic. Vukic is once again far from the worst opponent he could have gotten, but the 19-year-old is probably not ready for this kind of win yet.
Prediction: Vukic in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: First meeting
The motivation and intensity of Alexander Zverev were questionable at best during the Golden Swing with the German half-tanking some of the last few games against Francisco Cerundolo and Francisco Comesana. Acapulco is an event he should enjoy more, but he did lose in the opening round last year as well. Matteo Arnaldi is close to some big result or a statement win, however good defenders tend to bring out the worst in him. If Zverev can make himself a wall off the ground, the Italian will supply the errors.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
