Marin Cilic will be looking to build on his runner-up performance in Marseille when he goes up against Ryan Harrison on Tuesday in Acapulco. Harrison’s fellow American, Steve Johnson, is contesting his opener against Alexandr Dolgopolov
(3) Marin Cilic vs. (Q) Ryan Harrison
Cilic will be making an extremely quick turnaround when he takes the court on Tuesday at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. The 12th-ranked Croat just finished runner-up to Nick Kyrgios in Marseille on Sunday. Cilic preceded that 6-2, 7-6(3) loss by defeating Robin Haase, Andrey Kuznetsov, and Benoit Paire. Despite his decent showing last week, after five tournaments this season Cilic is a modest 8-5 and has not beaten anyone ranked higher than No. 22 in the world.
That obviously won’t change against Harrison, who is struggling down at No. 127 in the world. Perhaps a trip to Acapulco is exactly what the doctor ordered for the 23-year-old to emerge from his slump. He reached the semifinals of this event last season and qualified for the main draw earlier this week by beating Hans Hach Verdugo and Alexander Sarkissian. The bad news for Harrison regarding last year’s semi is that all of those points are about to come off. If he falls to Cilic in the second round, Harrison will drop outside the top 180. The 2014 U.S. Open champion leads the head-to-head series 2-0, with straight-set victories at the 2011 U.S. Open and in Delray Beach two seasons ago. This could be competitive given that Harrison has two Acapulco matches already under his belt and Cilic must be fatigued, but the No. 3 seed should eventually seize control.
Pick: Cilic in 3
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Steve Johnson vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Johnson and Dolgopolov will be squaring off for the second time in their careers on Tuesday. Their only previous meeting came this past fall on the indoor hard courts of Vienna, where Johnson prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. The 34th-ranked American was on fire at that point, as he went on to finish runner-up to David Ferrer before reaching the Valencia semifinals. Coincidentally, the winner of this matchup will likely face Ferrer in round two. Fast forward four months and Johnson has cooled off in a major way. The 26-year-old is 3-5 for the 2016 campaign and coming off a second-round loss to Benjamin Becker in Delray Beach, where he led by a set and two breaks.
Dolgopolov heads into Acapulco as a considerable question mark. The Ukrainian has not won more than two matches at any of his four tournaments this season. A victory over Rafael Nadal last week in Rio de Janeiro would have given him three wins there and a berth in the semifinals, but it was a match that never even happened. Much to chagrin of the Rio fans, Dolgopolov withdrew citing a shoulder injury. Even at 100 percent, the world No. 32 would not have a huge edge in this one. If his shoulder is a problem and he cannot get enough juice on his shots to keep Johnson on the defensive, an early exit for Dolgopolov could be in store.
Pick: Johnson in 3
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Dolgopolov in three and Cilic in two. I hope Johnson and Harrison win though.
I think Cilic will win in 2 sets.
I am picking Johnson to win over Dolgo because of his withdrawal due to a shoulder injury in Rio. I just am not sure if he will be fully recovered. Johnson to win in 3 sets.
Exactly about Dog 😀
Yeah, Cilic in 2. Not at all sure who in the other match. I’ll go Johnson – I’m gullible when it comes to injuries, especially when it’s the Dog. Johnson in 2. I’ll only put 5 units on Johnson. More sure about Cilic.
Cilic and Steve in two… Dolgopolov would have to be close to 100% to be Johnson
Dolgopolov has been injury prone quite often the past two seasons. I’m hoping Johnson can win this! USA!
Aw crap I forgot about dolgopolov’ injury. Stevie has a good shot actually. Should be a good match.
Could see Harrison winning. Right now he’s up a break in the first. He seems much more energized and focused. I totally forgot about factoring in Cilic’s fatigue from his run to the Marseille final. He seems really tired and lethargic right now. Harrison is opposite of fatigued on other hand. Playing smart and making Cilic hit a lot of balls. Plus Harrison plays well in Acapulco so if he’s gonna beat Cilic it might as well be here. I had Marin making final but that was discounting the fatigue from Marseille which was pretty dumb to overlook on my part. Did the same with NK. Anyways I hope Harrison gets the upset. Would love to see him make a run here again. Vamos Ryan!!
Completely forgot about Cilic fatigue after being beaten in the final and flying from Marseille. Though, I imagine flying 1st class and east–> west is better than vice versa.
I’d like to see Fritzy win!
wait…isn’t flying east –> west worse than the other direction lol I don’t know.
he won the phurst
Picked Taylor to win in three. He’s doing it at the moment. C’mon Taylor!!
this is going 3
Fritz IS going to win! I will be out of units but oh well…
Harrison, too.
I’m psyched. Fritz wins and he’s possibly got a winnable next match, too. Estrella-Burgos. Go Fritzy!
Ricky Dimon
@Dimonator
heck with the top 100. Taylor Fritz will climb into the top NINETY next week, likely at least to No. 86.
Woot!
No TV Coverage of Johnson-Dolgopolov anywhere…bleh…Probably won’t even be able to watch highlights of this one =/
Same with Bedene-Karlovic…
Just was complaining the same on the WTA thread.
Bedene was Free Money today hahaha. Ivo is probably going to retire after this season