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ATP Acapulco: Medvedev, Nadal, Tsitsipas Headline

It's the Top 6 (minus one) This Week in Acapulco

All but one of the top six players on the ATP Tour have come together for this week’s Abierto Mexicano Telcel Open in Acapulco. As per BetUs sportsbook, World No.2 Daniil Medvedev is the player to beat, opening as the top favorite with tennis odds of +160. Defending champion Alexander Zverev was tipped as the second-best bet at +275, while 21-time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal entered third-best at +330.

The 32-player deep field began Monday, and after a stellar opening round, all three favorites are through to the next round. Joining them are other notables such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, fourth wagering choice at +550 according to pre-tournament betting online markets. In all likelihood, one of these four dons is the champion’s sombrero.

ATP Acapulco: Medvedev, Nadal, Tsitsipas Headline
PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Acapulco R16 and a Look Ahead

Medvedev Gunning for World No. 1

Daniil Medvedev is in a rare position to supplant Novak Djokovic from his perch atop the ATP rankings, a position the Serbian has held steadfastly for a record 361 weeks (as of Monday, Feb. 21st).

When asked about Medvedev’s potential rise to the top, Djokovic was quick to praise the Russian. “He deserves to be No.1,” Djokovic said Sunday before he embarked on his campaign at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week. “Eventually, it’s going to happen. If it happens this week, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him.”

Medvedev needs to win the title in Acapulco to accomplish the feat, but his path has him on a collision course with Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Nadal beat Medvedev in an epic Australian Open five-set finale, clinching that record 21st title.

Before Medvedev can even look towards a potential reprisal with Nadal, he faces Pablo Andujar in the R16 and the winner of Taylor Fritz-Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarterfinals. Under regular circumstances, Medvedev would be able to handle these opponents comfortably. However, with the pressure of the occasion and the weight of expectation, nothing can be taken for granted. American Fritz would be one to watch as a potential stumbling block here.

Nadal Gunning for Second Title

Rafael Nadal’s season got off to the best possible start, winning the Australian Open title against the odds. The 35-year-old Spaniard entered the year’s first Grand Slam event as one of the top five favorites but at a distant +1200 or thereabouts. Once again, Medvedev was tipped as the favorite.

Nadal’s path to the semifinals here-and a potential shadow with Medvedev-looks to be straightforward, with Stefan Kozlov in the R16, then the winner of Dusan Lajovic-Tommy Paul. Kozlov edged Grigor Dimitrov in a three-set marathon Monday night, all the while battling severe cramps in the second set. Paul advanced to the second round after Matteo Berrettini retired, 6-4, 1-5.

Nadal opened this tournament with a convincing win over American Denis Kudla. Of all the first-round matches, Nadal looked to be in the most convincing form. He sent Kudla packing in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, with a 96% first-serve accuracy serve while saving three of five break points. Kudla wasn’t able to make any impression on Nadal’s game or challenge the Spaniard’s serve, having no break-point opportunities of his own.

Zverev’s Withdrawal Opens the Bottom Half

Alexander Zverev captured the 2021 Acapulco title at the expense of Stefanos Tsitsipas in one of the most hotly contested matches between the pair. Although the final was decided in straight sets, it was a classic nonetheless and Zverev triumphed  6-4, 7-6(3) after two hours and 19 minutes.

There will be no rematch in the final between these young guns, Zverev was effectively booted out for “unsports-manlike conduct” during his doubles match that involved a violent outburst and attacking the umpire’s chair with his racquet.

This is an unfortunate turn of events for the tournament and tennis betting fans. Zverev might face additional sanctions for his unacceptable behavior. Zverev’s disqualification opens the bottom-half of the draw to Tsitsipas.

Tsitsipas was challenged in his Acapulco opener, taken to two tiebreakers in a 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) win over Laslo Djere. Tsitsipas next faces qualifier J.J. Wolf, who took out promising Lorenzo Sonego in three sets.

In the quarterfinals, things could get tricky with the Greek slated to oppose either Pablo Carreno Busta or Marcos Giron. Carreno Busta is in fine form, the Spaniard presenting Tsitsipas’ toughest challenge before the semifinals.

Should Tsitsipas survive the next two rounds, he would face either John Isner or Cameron Norrie. Isner’s big serve can make any player uncomfortable, while Norrie is coming off a win at the Delray Beach Open.

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