Top two seeds David Ferrer and Alexandr Dolgopolov will continue their Acapulco campaigns during second-round action on Wednesday. They are set for respective encounters with Alexandr Dolgopolov and Sam Querrey.
(1) David Ferrer vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Ferrer and Dolgopolov will be facing each other for the 11th time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 8-2 in favor of Ferrer, who most recently eased past Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-2 last fall in Paris. They squared off at this Acapulco event in 2011, as well, when the Spaniard prevailed 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to punch a ticket to the title match. At that point in time, however, the tournament was held on clay. Ferrer is 6-0 lifetime against Dolgopolov on hard courts.
Coming off a lackluster Golden Swing, Ferrer is looking to make amends for recent clay-court losses to Nicolas Almagro (Buenos Aires semifinals) and Dominic Thiem (Rio de Janeiro semis). The top seed began his title defense by cruising past John Millman 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday. Dolgopolov lost right away in Buenos Aires to Diego Schwartzman before showing signs of picking up momentum with a pair of victories in Rio. But the world No. 32 withdrew citing a shoulder injury prior to going up against Rafael Nadal. A few days off clearly served Dolgopolov well, as he fought past Steve Johnson 7-5, 7-6(4) in his Acapulco opener. Even at 100 percent, this is not a favorable matchup for the underdog. Ferrer has owned Dolgopolov in the past and there are not many places around the world in which the 33-year-old is better than he is in Acapulco.
Pick: Ferrer in 2 with no tiebreakers
[polldaddy poll=9321803]
Sam Querrey vs. (2) Kei Nishikori
Nishikori and Querrey will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers and for the second time in the last three weeks when they meet again on Wednesday. They just collided in the Memphis semifinals, with Nishikori coming back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 on his way to a fourth consecutive title at that tournament. The Japanese star was once saddled with a 1-3 record against Querrey, but he has since reeled off four straight victories.
While Nishikori took a week off following his Memphis triumph, Querrey moved on to Delray Beach. And to say that decision paid off handsomely would be an understatement. The 43rd-ranked American lifted the winner’s trophy following weekend defeats of Juan Martin Del Potro and Rajeev Ram. Querrey got right back in gear to crush Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday in Acapulco. Nishikori advanced to the last 16 by thrashing Thiemo De Bakker 6-0, 6-3 on Monday. The world No. 8 finished runner-up to Ferrer last year and should be en route to faring at least that well this time around.
Pick: Nishikori in 2 with no tiebreakers
[polldaddy poll=9321808]
who ya got?
Ferrer in 2, no tb is my vote. But Ferrer has not been all that sharp. Score looks good for his win v Millman and it was a fun match to watch but I think Ferrer could be vulnerable – if not v Dolgo, in upcoming matches.
Nishikori in 2; at least a tb. Querrey’s confidence is on the rise and it feels like good energy all around for Merican tennis — but I’m a belieber in Kei’s tennis. Could take 3 sets. Go Kei!
nah Ferrer is a beast in Aca
A beast and a rock star in Aca. Just not quite convinced he’s the best beast this year yet. No problem beating Dolgo tho.
Ferrer in two with no breakers and Nishikori in two with one breaker at least (probably just one).
I am picking Ferrer in 2 sets over Dolgo with no tb’s.
Winning a title will give Querrey a nice boost. But I think Nishi will get the win in 2 sets.
David loves the mexicanos… He will win up until he meets Kei in the finals. Straights sets both games.
That was some great tennis from Dolgo first set!
Well? If I’m going to bomb the Acapulco game might as well be for going all in against Dolgo. Happy for him if he can sustain this level. Super talented Alexander Dolgopolov!
Cibby got a walkover from Vika. Wonder what’s up with Vika…
I hope that Vika is okay.
I don’t know yet, Nny. Only have the score for WTA matches. Very enthralled with Dog v Ferrer. Dolgo has been in God mode for many of these games – waiting to see if usual Dog mode returns. Starting to feel I’m watching a big win for Alex! But I thought Ferrer looked slightly less beastly last match. No doubt in my mind if this goes 3 sets Ferrer likely wins – Dog knows it and he’s got the break! Serving for match 😀
Oops – not quite serving for match…
serving at 4-3. A bit crazy, I am.
I just tuned in to Ferrer-Dolgo. Surprising to see Dolgo win the first set.
Dolgo with a break
Now…he’ll try to serve for the match. I think he’ll do it, Ricky!
He did it! Well done to Dolgo!
…. Dog serving for the win.
3 aces to star…and then a 2nd serve. Right down the line forehand is out! 2 match points left and another mp blown. one left…2nd serve. Gone. All mp’s gone.
deuce. ad in. Got it on an overhead smash. Chapeau Alex!! Woot!
Dolgo wins!! Huge upset.
Wow. The big dog bit the little terrier big time. Watching atch Dolgo in full flight one cant help but wonder what he might have achieved if he didn’t have such a struggle with his health. Fascinating match.
Querrey is playing really well. I turned on TV to see fantastic backhand DTL winner for Sam. That would be crazy if Ferrer and Nishikori lost early. We would already have top three seeds out before the quarters. And the top two seeds beat on the same day. I think I spoke too soon lol. Querrey about to get broken back. I think kei is a boss and would like seeing him win this but I would also like to see the American get the upset. Querrey just played a trash game there though.
Impressive from Sam to close the set out. He’s lost quite a few three setters to kei like their recent semifinal in Memphis recently. We’ll see if he can actually close out what would be a huge victory for him.
more like Kei choked. Sam was awful at the end of the set.
Yeah I only saw last point and kei missed. Didn’t see rest of the game cuz I was out of the room.
Ohh…
Can’t watch this. Absolutely hate seeing Kei lose! lol…don’t know why.
woke up on wrong side of bed
nah…I’m over it.
When a favorite bites the dust another one takes his place 😀
Tursunov
Geez I was doing HW and I was like oh where r they in the set now? And they’re still at 2-1? Nishikori just saved his sixth break point against of the game. Dang. This is a long one. Nishikori will probably get it. Just missed easy forehand though and Sam has a seventh BP. Can he get it?
Wow Querrey finally got it. It looks like kei isn’t playing too well. Sam seems to just be playing solid. This would be huge for Sam if he got the win.
Sam is balling
Kei is done
Watching my recording of Koolio and Kleeze to cheer up. Kei had a decent career. Done now.
Kei seems toast now that he lost that marathon game and just blew the last one. 6-4 4-1 Querrey. ????