Casper Ruud reached an ATP 500 final this year already (Dallas) and looks primed for a deep run at this Acapulco event as well. The No. 2 seed is defending finalist points from 2024 and will take on 19-year-old Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Acapulco Day 3 Predictions
Daniel Altmaier vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: Machac 1-0
Daniel Altmaier has been performing very well on slow hard courts this month, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Rotterdam and Marseille. These two events were played indoors, but Acapulco conditions are to his liking as well. It’s just tough not to favor Tomas Machac after the excellent match he played to defeat his compatriot Jakub Mensik. Altmaier has been luring his opponents into clay patterns on hard courts and the Czech will need to take that possibility away from him. With how early he takes the ball, he’s got the means.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Marcos Giron vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: 3-3
Tommy Paul withdrew from Delray Beach after making the semifinals in Dallas, but he was quick to show that he’s ready for this event when he blasted Gabriel Diallo off the court in the opening round. His rivalry against Marcos Giron hasn’t been easy with Paul only leveling last February. It should be quite encouraging for him though that Giron hasn’t beaten him since 2021. Considering the No. 3 seed typically does very well at this venue, he’ll probably manage to take the lead in their head-to-head for the first time.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Ben Shelton vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ben Shelton posted a tough win over Flavio Cobolli in the opening round, overcoming the Italian in two tie-breaks. This should be a good omen as he had lost his previous two matches against that opponent and Acapulco conditions aren’t that favorable to big servers. Now he’s facing David Goffin, who finally picked up his first win of the season by defeating Rinky Hijikata. It’s clear this season’s version of the Belgian is nowhere near the one we used to admire in his prime.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Casper Ruud vs Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Casper Ruud is one of the players who benefit from the conditions in Acapulco with his spinny forehand and it took him all the way to the final last year. This looks very repeatable as the other seeds in the bottom half of the draw aren’t that strong right now. He will face Mexican wildcard Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez, who is a former junior No. 1 and posted a milestone win over Aleksandar Vukic in the opening round. But he’s not ready for someone of Ruud’s quality and this ought to be pretty comfortable.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
