This ATP 500 level event is back in Acapulco for the 30th year as some of the best players in the world have descended upon the pacific coast of Mexico. Despite Carlos Alcaraz and Cameron Norrie withdrawing from the event, day three still features many intriguing matchups, including fourth seed Holger Rune vs Nuno Borges. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Acapulco. But who will advance?
ATP Acapulco Day 3 Predictions
Matteo Berrettini vs Elias Ymer
Head-to-Head: Berrettini 2-0 Ymer
Former world #6 Matteo Berrettini is looking to spark his season in Acapulco. The 26-year-old Italian picked up his first tour win of the season, 6-0 1-0 (RET), earlier this week over Alex Molcan. He will look to ride that momentum against Elias Ymer. Ymer, who is just two days older than Berrettini, has gone 2-4 in his last six matches and has fallen outside the top 150. Berrettini is certainly not back to his dominant ways, but he should have no trouble dispatching the Swed.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Brandon Nakashima vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-Head: Nakashima 1-2 McDonald
Brandon Nakashima and Mackenzie McDonald are set to square off in the second round of Acapulco. They met earlier this year in the Australian Open first round, with McDonald besting his compatriot in a five-set thriller. Nakashima is competing in his first event since that loss and should be itching to get back on the court against McDonald. McDonald is coming off a run to the Delray Beach semifinals, holding a 6-2 record in February. Not much separates these two on a hard court. Give the slight advantage to the younger American, who will be hungry to avenge his Australian Open defeat.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Alex De Minaur vs Jacopo Berrettini
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jacopo Berrettini’s run to the second round in Acapulco is one of the great early stories of the season. Ranked #842 in the world, Berrettini received a wildcard entry into qualifying. He won two qualifying matches and then took down Oscar Otte 3-6 7-6(3) 2-1 (RET) to win his first career tour-level match. That story will be tested against world #22 Alex de Minaur. The Aussie dropped just three games in his first-round win and should feel confident with how the draw has opened up for him. Berrettini will power some forehand winners, but de Minaur’s consistency from the baseline will be too much for the Italian to overcome.
Prediction: De Minaur in 2
Holger Rune vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Fourth seed Holger Rune came back from a set down to defeat Ben Shelton on Monday night in Acapulco. The young Dane certainly sees his massive opportunity as one of the favorites at this 500-level event. He will take on Nuno Borges with a spot in the Acapulco quarterfinals on the line. Borges is coming off a Challenger title in Monterrey and has won nine of his last ten matches. That said, only one of those wins was against a player in the top 100. Rune will prove to be too consistent and powerful from the baseline for Borges.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
