Rafael Nadal has mostly cruised so far in Acapulco and will go up against Soonwoo Kwon during quarterfinal action on Thursday. Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov, two much more familiar foes, are also aiming for the semis.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Soonwoo Kwon
Nadal and Kwon will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Thursday night. There has been no real trouble for Nadal through two rounds, as he defeated Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2 before getting the best of Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 7-5. The second-ranked Spaniard is sporting a decent 10-3 record for the season.
Kwon is without question playing the best tennis of his young career right now. The 22-year-old South Korean has reached a career-high ranking of No. 76 in the world and he will move into the top 70 even if he loses on Thursday. Kwon booked his spot in a fourth consecutive quarterfinal in 2020 by beating Taro Daniel and Dusan Lajovic. He has fallen at this stage in each of the three previous tournaments, and with Nadal on the other side of the net that trend is sure to continue.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
[crowdsignal poll=10511885]
(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. (7) Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov survived a roller-coaster ride on Wednesday night to set up this quarterfinal showdown. The 22nd-ranked Bulgarian squandered a double-break lead in the third set against Adrian Mannarino but managed to recover in the ensuing tiebreaker for a 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(2) victory that required two hours and 44 minutes. Dimitrov, who preceded that result with a 6-3, 6-3 beatdown of Damir Dzumhur, is a mediocre 6-4 for his 2020 campaign.
Up next for the 28-year-old is a 12th career contest against Wawrinka, who leads the head-to-head series 7-4. That number hardly tells the full story, as Wawrinka has won five in a row at Dimitrov’s expense dating back to the 2018 Wimbledon first round. The 34-year-old Swiss has also escaped a third-set tiebreaker this week (vs. Frances Tiafoe in round one), after which he dismissed Pedro Martinez 6-4, 6-4. Based on current form and recent history in this matchup, Wawrinka has an obvious edge.
Pick: Wawrinka in 2
[crowdsignal poll=10511877]
Rafa in 2, Stan in 3
Kwon started off slow vs. Lajovic and wasn’t looking good to take the 1st, but he did then breezed through the 2nd, I like him a bit and is my favourite underdog right now, is tough to beat, if you beat him most likely the match will be a 3 setter, but he’s going up against Nadal and am happy he’s on a bigger stage, I hope he can put in a good match, wonder if it will be more than Kecmanovic did, but I’ll go Nadal 7-6, 6-3.
Dimitrov could have finished the match yesterday a lot sooner and quicker, so not a good performance from him, Stan does this 6-3, 6-4.
Rest of Acapulco picks: Paul over Isner in 3, Edmund over Fritz in 3.
Remaining Santiago pick: Garin over Davidovich Fokina in 2.
Kwon did put in a good match, better than the scoreline showed, but Rafa was in masterclass mood.
Stay focused and energized, be confident and strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ER1UIzqWsAIsJIG?format=jpg