Acapulco SF previews and predictions: Nadal vs. Cilic, Kyrgios vs. Querrey

March 3, 2017 Ricky Match previews 53

Rafael Nadal is the highest-remaining seed still alive in Acapulco now that Novak Djokovic is out, and the Spaniard will look to go at least one step further when he faces Marin Cilic during Friday’s semifinals. Nick Kyrgios and Sam Querrey are also in action.

(3) Marin Cilic vs. (2) Rafael Nadal

Nadal has no reason to apologize for a favorable draw at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, but based on the respective hands they were dealt it is no surprise to see the Spaniard alive and well in the quarterfinals and Novak Djokovic down and out. Djokovic had to fend off Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round–which he did a thrilling three-setter–before losing to Nick Kyrgios 7-6(9), 7-5 on Thursday. Nadal has not dropped a single set in victories over Mischa Zverev, Paolo Lorenzi, and Yoshihito Nishioka. The world No. 6 is now 11-2 this season (including a runner-up finish at the Australian Open) and 13-0 lifetime in Acapulco (3-0 on hard courts).

Up next for the No. 2 seed during Friday’s semifinals is a fifth career meeting with Cilic, who trails the head-to-head series 3-1. The Croat’s lone victory came back in 2009 in Beijing, which preceded Nadal taking showdowns in 2011 (Australian Open and Rome) and 2015 (Basel) while winning seven of eight sets in the process. Cilic needed three sets to get past both Alexandr Dolgopolov and Borna Coric earlier this week before getting a quarterfinal walkover from Steve Johnson. The world No. 8 owns the kind of game that can trouble Nadal, but he has rarely done so in the past and nothing about his current form suggests he can do it on Friday.

Pick: Nadal in 2

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(6) Nick Kyrgios vs. Sam Querrey

Appearing to channel the same kind of dominant tennis that was on display last year in Marseille, where he captured his first career ATP title, Kyrgios has bulldozed his way into the Acapulco semifinals. The 17th-ranked Australian Open surrendered his opening set of the tournament but has since taken out Dudi Sela 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Donald Young 6-2, 6-4, and the top-seeded Djokovic. Against Djokovic, Kyrgios fired 25 aces compared to only one double-fault–on a set point in the tiebreaker–while serving at 73 percent and he saved the only break point he faced.

A far more surprising semifinal showdown awaits the sixth seed on Friday, as Querrey emerged from a section of the bracket that included Dominic Thiem and David Goffin. Querrey opened with a three-set victory over Kyle Edmund before knocking out both Goffin and Thiem in straights. The 6’6” American can trade big serves with Kyrgios as well as almost anyone, but a key difference is that Kyrgios has the confidence bring the heat on a consistent basis in pressure-packed moments–just as he did against Djokovic. Not too surprisingly, Querrey was overwhelmed 6-4, 6-4 in their only previous encounter last fall in Shanghai.

Pick: Kyrgios in 2

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53 Comments on Acapulco SF previews and predictions: Nadal vs. Cilic, Kyrgios vs. Querrey

    • I am not sure about picking Rafa in 2 or 3 sets. He had trouble with Nishioka, but got it done. If Cilic was in good form I might think it would take 3 sets. But according to Ricky his current form is not that great. Rafa knows what to expect and I would think he will raise his level of play as he has done throughout his career when he gets closer to a final. Cilic does have the big serve and powerful groundstrokes to trouble Rafa. But Rafa has had the answers in the past.

      I will say that if Rafa raises his level of play the he should win in 2 sets, but if he is off then it could go 3 sets.

      Querrey is playing well, but I think Kyrgios showed what he can do when he comes out and plays his best. Kyrgios in 2 sets!

      Reply

  7. I remember that Match in Beijing when Cilic beat Rafa in the SF. It was surreal and all over in a flash 62 62, I think the score was to Cilic. Rafa was so disinterested in the match. In his presser, he said ‘you can’t play when you are not mentally there’. This was in 2009 when Rafa was stressed up due to his parent’s divorce. Something must have happened the day before the night before because he just didn’t turn up even though up till then he was playing quite well.

    Vamos Rafa!

    Reply

  9. This has not been the Aussie Open Rafa this week consistently. After the Aussie, it appeared his 2 year malaise might have finally passed and those of us who figured he was definitely headed quickly to retirement were surprised by his form at the Aussie. The forehand was back as was an uptick in his speed around the court.

    However, the Nishioka match showed that his rubber arm was back and he just did not appear confident and seems to have digressed back to the “riding off towards the sunset” Rafa.

    Thus I am entirely not sure what happens against Cilic. If Rafa has another gear, awesome and I’ll have more confidence going forward that he might truly be on his way back to being Rafa! BUT, I’m not convinced yet and if your wagering this match, tread lightly I’d say.

    As for Querrey and the Goof, I’d also tread lightly as the Goof might have a bit of a letdown as is common in sports when you’ve completed a big victory as he did over Novak. Querrey simply overpowered Them…and certainly can match the Goof in that area. Querrey is always good once or twice a year for a stretch of consistency and excellence where his beats people he can’t touch the rest of the year.

    However i’m a little more confident in the Goof in this match than I am the victor in the other, that being said having not seen Cilic play all week so depends on his form.

    Good luck!

    Reply

    • MA,

      I am here! Rafa is in the house!

      Let’s get this party started!

      I should charge my phone. I always forget. I will give it 15 minutes and then be back for the start of the match!

      Reply

  12. Nny!!Are you ready to woooooohooooo! with rafa??It’s going to start any minute!C’Mon Nny!!!

    Rafa will win insyaallah!!

    Reply

    • MA,

      Rafa has come out looking very sharp! Cilic has cone out flat. Rafa two breaks up and the first set is really over at this point.

      Reply

      • This is a surprise! Rafa up 5-0! I am pleased that Rafa has raised his level of play for this match. But I don’t know what is going on with Cilic. He is just out of sorts.

        Reply

  16. Yeah Nny!!!Thank God for that!!If rafa were going to win,he needs to do it 2…safe his energy for the final and IW next week…

    Reply

  17. U know Nny?Actually i’m not surprised with rafa’s form today,i already expected it,that is his pattern since AO…one day he play crap and the next he play like his old self…and since yesterday he’s already play crap,then today he will go back to his old self!I think it’s because he’s already familiar with Cilic’s game unlike Nishioka…so,he pretty confident about this match…

    Reply

    • MA,

      I think you are spot on with your thoughts! That’s why I thought he would come out playing better. He seemed to know what he wanted to do from the beginning.

      Cilic did have the trainer come out for an ankle injury. Maybe that’s why he has not looked like himself. The tennis channel commies said from the beginning that Cilic wasn’t moving his feet. Now we know why.

      But there is no question and Rafa has brought his “A” game!

      Great to see Rafa serving so well, moving into the court to get good court positioning so that he can dictate points.

      Reply

      • Yeah Nny..agree with u!the key here is,rafa’s confident…when he have it in him,then all area in his game will working to perfection barred UE’s from FH once or twice but overall,everythings clicking!But,i still don’t like him standing so far back behind the baseline,it’s really give him disadvantage if Cilic were going to serve and volley or make a drop shot..

        About Cilic,yeah it seems he’s got a little problem with his ankle..that’s explaining his uncharacteristic form today…

        Reply

        • Cilic seems to be playing a bit better and putting more pressure on Rafa’s service games.

          Rafa holds!

          What I really liked, was when Rafa was down 0-40 in one service game and he came back to hold! That is what I want to see!

          I think Rafahas been moving forward at points in the match instead of hanging back behind the baseline. He’s been aggressive for the most part.

          Reply

          • yeah Nny….like i said earlier….CONFIDENT playing a big part in rafa’s game..he have it that day then he can do everything he wish for…hope he can carry this fine form to tomorrow…whoever will meet him there sure not going to be an easy opponent with their booming serve!

  18. Great thinking by Rafa out there! Attacking Cilic’s backhand and mixing up with slices and Cilic so far has no answers! Agreed with Ricky that Cilic is in ratger poor form but love Rafa’s gameplan and determination! He is also serving well! Beautiful to watch! First set Rafa! Bravo!

    Vamos Rafa!

    Reply

    • WOW!!! I have been replaying that one handed cc backhand winner over and over! Even Rafa was excited over that shot! Jumping in the air!

      Then another cc backhand beauty! I noticed that Rafa has some DTL backhand winners earlier in the match, but those cc backhands were something else!

      Way to close it out!

      Rafa is in the final!
      ??♥️

      Reply

  23. Yes! Rafa on the mission! Love it!

    Clearly subpar Cilic but Rafa was focused and executing his shots so well!!

    Vamos Champ!

    Reply

  24. Rafa has no trouble dealing with Cilic. I don’t understand why anyone thought this match would be close. That’s why I explained Cilic’s one victory in Beijing, there were extenuating circumstances for that loss. The one set Cilic took in Basel in 2015, was the year that Rafa was in a slump and was losing to the world and his wife. This is a different Rafa.

    Reply

  29. At a hotel so I couldn’t watch the match. But holy crap Kyrgios loses damn. How did he lose 6-1 second set he must’ve tanked or been way out of sorts. So now nick has never won his next match after beating Nole Rafa or Fed. This was an amazing chance to do so. Wow. He must’ve played a lot worse because his level against Novak had no shot at losing this one.

    Reply

  30. Saw the match until third set at 2-2 I think. I don’t think Kygrios tanked the match; the second set he made some errors, probably a bit impatient and Querrey served and played well enough to capitalize.

    There’s no Rafa/Kyrgios then. Querrey if he serves well will be a difficult opponent so I hope Rafa comes out all guns blazing tomorrow. Vamos Rafa! Go get your first HC title this year and regain all the confidence in your game!

    Reply

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