Nick Kyrgios is one win away from completing an epic run to the Abierto Mexicano Telcel title. The No. 1 seed couldn’t stop him; another multi-Grand Slam champion couldn’t stop him; the best server in tennis couldn’t stop him.
Now the last hurdle is second-seeded Alexander Zverev, who will go up against Kyrgios in a blockbuster final matchup on Saturday night. The head-to-head series stands at an even 3-3, but Zverev has won three of their last four encounters since losing to the Australian back-to-back in the Indian Wells-Miami double two years ago. They faced each other twice in 2018, with the German prevailing 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-2 in a Davis Cup rubber (on the road in Australia) and 6-4, 6-4 at the Miami Masters.
Zverev has to be considered the favorite once again based not only on his recent success at Kyrgios’ expense but also because of current form. Although the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion started the season slow (lost to Milos Raonic in round four of the Aussie Open), he has been by far the most dominant performer this week in Acapulco. Zverev booked a spot in the title tilt with straight-set defeats of Alexei Popyrin, David Ferrer, Alex de Minaur, and Cameron Norrie.
Unsurprisingly, Kyrgios took a much more circuitous route through the bracket. The world No. 72 followed up a victory over Andreas Seppi by taking out Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, and John Isner all in dramatic three-setters. He even saved three match points from 6-3 down in a third-set tiebreaker to stun Nadal 3-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(6) in round two. Kyrgios also went the maximum distance with Isner on Friday, surviving 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(7).
“It was an amazing, fun match with John today,” Kyrgios commented. “I was pretty pumped because I knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of running. He’s a good mate of mine and has always been incredibly supportive. To go out and battle against him was a special moment for me.
“This is going to be an incredibly tough match (against Zverev). He’s an amazing player; very professional; ticks all the boxes. I grew up playing juniors with him, so I know him very well. It’s going to be a lot of fun.“
“I’m very happy to be in the final,” Zverev said after beating Norrie 7-6(0), 6-3 in the first semifinal. “That was the goal at the start of the week. This is so far a very special week for me and I hope I can continue it.”
This is, of course, a dangerous match for the world No. 3. The conditions suit Kyrgios well (just as they do for Zverev, for that matter) and he can see the finish line of what has been a grueling week, so he most likely won’t be in one of his foul moods–especially not on this big stage of a 500-point final against a marquee opponent. That is why this one will be competitive, but Zverev has much more left in his tank and he will also take confidence from having won five sets in a row against Kyrgios.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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