Day 3 in Acapulco will see former champion and top seed Alexander Zverev in action as he squares up against Miomir Kecmanovic for a place in the quarterfinals. Several other matches are also on the schedule, including three in this piece involving players who are meeting for the first time. We offer our predictions on who will advance to the last eight.<\/p>\n
ATP Acapulco Day 3 Predictions
\nBrandon Nakashima vs Patrick Kypson<\/p>\n
Head\u2013to\u2013Head: First Meeting<\/p>\n
Brandon Nakashima powered into the next round of the Mexican Open with a clinical 6-3, 6-4 dismissal of Elias Ymer, conceding just a single break point in a crisp 79-minute display. The American has lacked momentum in recent weeks, but flashes of his early-season form, which carried him to the Brisbane final, were unmistakable in his clean ball-striking and first-serve control.<\/p>\n
Next comes a far sterner test against qualifier Patrick Kypson, fresh off a stunning upset<\/a> of world No. 6 Alex de Minaur in a two-hour, 39-minute thriller. Nakashima remains the favourite thanks to his steadier baseline patterns, but the matchup could hinge on return pressure. Kypson protected his serve superbly in the last round and brings the kind of first-strike aggression that can quickly turn a rhythm battle into a shootout. However, lightning will not strike twice.<\/p>\n Prediction: Nakashima in 3<\/p>\n Terence Atmane vs Rafael Jodar<\/p>\n Head\u2013to\u2013Head:\u00a0 First Meeting<\/p>\n Terence Atmane showed his trademark left-handed explosiveness to record a solid straight-sets win over veteran Grigor Dimitrov in the opener and now faces rising star, Rafael Jodar, a matchup that promises sharp contrasts in tempo and intent. The Frenchman thrives on first-strike tennis and heavy serves, while the Spaniard relies on patience, court coverage, and point construction to disrupt rhythm.<\/p>\n Dimitrov\u2019s service wasn\u2019t at its imperious best, allowing Atmane to seize the advantage into a comfortable win, and I don\u2019t think he will be in the same vantage position against Jodar, who didn\u2019t face a single break of serve in the opener against Cameron Norrie. I have the Spaniard winning this one<\/p>\n Prediction: Jodar in 3<\/p>\n Flavio Cobolli vs Dalibor Svrcina<\/p>\n Head\u2013to\u2013Head: First Meeting<\/p>\n