The ATP Tour returns to a player-favorite spot of Acapulco this week for a 500-level event. ATP Acapulco is a stacked 32-man field with plenty of entertaining Round 1 matches. No. 7 seed Tommy Paul takes the court against Jack Draper for the third time this year, among other terrific matches. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for all matches around the grounds of Acapulco. But who will advance?
ATP Acapulco Day 1 Predictions
Ben Shelton vs Dan Evans
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Rising American star Ben Shelton takes on veteran Brit Dan Evans in the first round of ATP Acapulco. These two have had entirely opposite starts to the 2024 season. Shelton holds a 6-4 record with semifinal runs in Auckland and Dallas. Evans is just 2-4. The high altitude of Acapulco will help Shelton’s serve. Expect him to rack up a lot of aces this week and have a heavy advantage in any breakers he plays.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-Head: Kecmanovic 0-4 Schwartzman
After a run to the second week of the Australian Open to start his season, Miomir Kecmanovic has dropped four consecutive matches. On paper, a first-round draw against wildcard Diego Schwartzman would seem advantageous, but the Argentine holds a perfect 4-0 record against the Serb. That said, Schwartzman has lost five matches in a row and has declined quickly over the last 12 months. I expect Schwartzman to play a solid match, but I don’t think he currently has the level to best Kecmanovic.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Sebastian Ofner vs Ernesto Escobedo
Head-to-Head: Ofner 0-1 Escobedo
Ernesto Escobedo receives another wildcard entry in his home country after bowing out to eventual champion Jordan Thompson in the first round of Los Cabos. The 27-year-old is currently hovering around the No. 500 mark and has not won an ATP main draw match in over two years. That said, Sebastian Ofner has not been in much better form, having only won one of his last six matches. The home crowd should boost Escobedo, but ultimately, Ofner’s heavy groundstrokes should prove too much in the end.
Prediction: Ofner in 3
Tommy Paul vs Jack Draper
Head-to-Head: Paul 1-2 Draper
Tommy Paul and Jack Draper are squaring off for the third time this year, with Draper coming out on top in Adelaide and Paul getting his revenge in the second round of the Australian Open. Paul is 7-1 through the North American swing and has proven himself one of the best movers on tour. The altitude will help Draper’s elite serve, but his lack of matches over the last month may be a cause for concern. This should be an entertaining Round 1 battle, but I slightly lean toward the consistency of the American.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
