It’s a cracker of a semifinal day in Acapulco, with the seeds largely intact. Soon-to-be world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev takes on Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas battles Delray Beach champion Cam Norrie on Friday.
(1) Daniil Medvedev vs. (4) Rafael Nadal
Top seed Daniil Medvedev will get a second crack at rival Rafael Nadal just two weeks after their epic Australian Open final. The Russian was up two sets to none and had Nadal in a 0-40 hole at 2-3 before the Spaniard came roaring back to nab the title and with it a record-breaking 21 slams–and the double-career Grand Slam.
Medvedev was favored in that match, as he is in Friday’s semi. The soon-to-be world No. 1 has been the premier hard-court player of the last 6 months; he won his first Slam in New York over Novak Djokovic and made a second consecutive final in Melbourne. Nadal gritted out the win in Melbourne through sheer force of will (and thanks to the best-of-five format at majors), but he won’t have that kind of cushion in Acapulco.
With the slow courts and the high humidity, conditions this week aren’t to Nadal’s liking–as evidenced by the sawdust he has brought with him to mop up his sweat and the bizarre match against Tommy Paul in the quarters in which the Spaniard was broken three times in the second set after taking the first with a bagel. Expect Medvedev to exact a little revenge.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 3
(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (6) Cam Norrie
World No. 4 Stefanos Tsistipas if off to a good if not spectacular start to the 2022 season. The Greek has no titles yet, having lost his only final in Rotterdam to Felix Auger-Aliassime, but he has gotten to the business end of most every event–including a run to the Australian Open semifinals. Tsitsipas had a bit of a tricky start this week (he needed a pair of tiebreakers to get past Laslo Djere), but it has been smooth sailing ever since for Acapulco’s No. 3 seed.
Unlike Tsitsipas, Cameron Norrie endured a miserable first month in 2022. He went into last week’s Delray Beach tournament with a 2-5 record on the season, but he has since righted the ship. He beat Reilly Opelka to capture the Delray title and now finds himself in the Acapulco semis.
Despite Norrie’s improved form, this one should be Tsitsipas’ for the taking. The 23-year-old has played well all week and is a steep step up in competition for the left-hander this week.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Nadal in 2 tough sets.
I’ll take Med in 2….and Tpas in 2.
your Rublev picks are always right on the money!
Nadal would be unwise to engage in another marathon battle with Medvedev under the circumstances. However, given his competitive nature, he might do just that.
If I were him, I would just play first strike tennis and go for the winner basically every time. He might as well emerge as a quick victor.
These guys need to pick their fights against each other, I wouldn’t be surprised if Med doesn’t overexert himself. Since Rafa is unable to tank a match, the best he can do is choose a very risky game plan – one that would also provide zero lessons learned to Daniil.
“Since Rafa is unable to tank a match”
Sure…
Tsitsipas in 3
Nadal v Medvedev is a coin toss.
Nadal and Medvedev met almost a month ago, not 2 weeks.
Nadal has never lost to Med on outdoor HC, so Nadal in 3.
Tsitsipas hasn’t had that great of a season, he was upset big time by Safiullin in Marseille, he’s too up and down for a top player, so for that reason I’m betting on Norrie to have enough energy (Mr. consistent backboard) to pull this one out in 2.
Norrie, wow. What a beast.
Rafa won the last 3 sets against Medvedev on outdoor hardcourt. Still anything can happen.
Vamos Rafa
Rafa has had a breakpoint in every one of Med’s serves.
1st set Nadal. Med yet to sniff a break point.
Vamos
Rafa has come out focused. Med having some problems with his serve.
that’s all he needs now doesn’t he. Just stay focused on his serve and throw in some good punches.
some outrageous service holds
Why does Medvedev keep talking to his box? If Rafa did that it would be called coaching.
I am not the only one up at 5 am in the UK watching this lol.
Delightful volleys from Rafa. This was as clutch a hold you’ll ever see.
I think he’s staved off the threat here and will take this in two sets now.
that one volley was insane
Yes! signs of utmost confidence. He is the heavy favourite to win tomorrow and that would mean 15 straight wins and 3 titles. Won’t be wrong to say he would be the clear favourite in Indian Wells and who knows how much this guy can roll as long as he remains fit.
Congrats to Medvedev for getting to no.1 but watch out for Rafa! He is coming after that no.1 spot and I think he’ll get it (at least temporarily at some point in this season). Granted he wins tomorrow, he will be almost 1000 points clear of Medvedev and 2,670 clear of Novak. Given the uncertainty surrounding Novak’s participation in future events, looks like it is a 3-way battle between Medvedev, Rafa and Rafa’s health đ
VR,
Youâre here! This got nerve wracking in the second set. Rafa had to really battle in his service games.
Rafa wins in straight sets.
There is nothing in any algorithm or matrix to suggest that Medvedev was the favourite in this match. Rafa has let his racquet do the talking.
You’re right, I always think that Rafa Vs Meddy, Rafa is the favourite to win. Meddy Vs others, it’s hard to say but most of the times Meddy wins that’s why he’s no.1 now.
Rafa did it! Into the final!
đ
If Rafa wins the final he moves up to #4.
Really? I knew it was close.
Vamos Rafa!
Get the win and the #4 ranking!
are we sure about this?
I donât know.
Nadline said he will get if he wins.
Nadal
Current points…… 6515
Drop off points …..-500
Acapulco Win……….500
Points carried/fwd…6515
Tsitsipas
Current points…… 6565
Drop off points …..-300
Acapulco SemiFin……180
Points carried/fwd…6445
nadline,
Thanks for the breakdown! I knew Rafa was close, but was not sure exactly how close!
Go get it Rafa!
Rafa is proving that form is temporary class is permanent.
Vamos
Sheryl said that Medvedev is the best hard court player for the last six months…Nadal is 15 – 0 in hard court this season and won 2 finals already….In addition, now he just beat the best hard court twice….all the so-called pros are doubting Nadal and please do it at your own peril. I hope he can win another 2 slams for the year (French Open & US Open).
Yes. I am baffled by some of the things the experts say. No one who watches wall to wall tennis, which is what they ought to do, should come to some of the conclusions they reach. A lot of it is pure and simple bias.
Rafa is ranked 5 in the world only because he hasn’t played much since 2020 due to injury. He won the USO and Canada the last time he played them and he bagled Medvedev in the final of that Canadian Open in 2019 beating him 63 60.
I agree! Well said! I think itâs about time people start picking Rafa! He is undefeated. He has beaten the so-called best hard court player twice now!
Give Rafa some respect!
Medvedev in 3 Lol
Tsitsipas in 2 Lol
Keep em coming, this is good entertainment.