The quarterfinals are set at the ATP Mexican Open in Acapulco, and none of the top four seeds made the cut. The draw has opened up for the rest of the players to perform well and get an ATP 500 title. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for all four matches, but which players will advance to the semifinals?
ATP Acapulco Quarterfinal Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Terence Atmane
Head-to-Head: first meeting
World No.84 Miomir Kecmanovic shocked top seed Alexander Zverev in a gruelling match to reach the quarterfinals for the second time here in Acapulco. This was Kecmanovic’s first-ever win against a Top 5 player, and it meant a lot to him. However, it took a lot of toll on his body as he looked gassed towards the end. Terence Atmane also played a three-setter against Rafael Jodar, but his match was much shorter, and he should have the advantage physically heading into the quarterfinals. Atmane is one win away from making his Top 50 debut, and I think he gets it.
Prediction: Atmane in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Mattia Bellucci
Head-to-Head: Tiafoe 1-0 Bellucci
Frances Tiafoe saved two match points in the deciding set tiebreak to defeat Aleksandar Kovacevic in a thrilling encounter. Tiafoe caught fire towards the end of that tiebreak and made some great shots to snatch the victory. He will look to tap into the energy he found in this match and use it going forward. Mattia Bellucci avenged his loss to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at this tournament last year with a fantastic performance, in which his serve was almost untouchable. The Italian has pushed Tiafoe in the past, and if he keeps playing like this, he has a genuine shot.
Prediction: Bellucci in 3
Valentin Vacherot vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Valentin Vacherot easily defeated Gael Monfils and is in his second quarterfinal of the season. Vacherot is playing this tournament for the first time and has adapted well to the slower conditions since losing the first set in the first round. Brandon Nakashima hit 11 aces and won 90% of his first serve points against Patrick Kypson, who knocked out Alex de Minaur in the first round. Both Nakashima and Vacherot have strong serves and will get plenty of free points, but who can serve better under pressure will decide this match. I am going with the Frenchman.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Flavio Cobolli vs Yibing Wu
Head-to-Head: first meeting
#5 seed Flavio Cobolli played one of his best matches of the season to defeat Dalibor Svrcina and reach the quarterfinal. Cobolli saved all six break points, which was crucial for a straight-sets win. He is the highest seed left in the draw now and will be looking to make the most out of this opportunity. However, it won’t be easy against Yibing Wu, who is playing some of the best tennis of the week. The Chinese qualifier is striking the ball ridiculously clean, and I am backing him to win against Cobolli.
Prediction: Wu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports