ATP Acapulco: Rafael Nadal with a possible second round duel against Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev with a friendly draw
Rafal Nadal, second in the world rankings , will be back on the ATP tour on Monday. Like Alexander Zverev , the Mallorcan serves at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco. At least the view of the draw looks better for the German than for the tournament favorite Nadal.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 23, 2020, 02:47 pm
Now the ATP tour really starts again: After a good break after the Australian Open , Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are now returning to the ATP tour at the ATP 500 events in Dubai and Acapulco - including Alexander Zverev plays his first tournament in Melbourne after Acapulco. In addition, Stan Wawrinka, Alex De Minaur and Nick Kyrgios, injured by injuries, are making a comeback.
The latter competes in Acapulco as defending title. The Australian had a sensational success run last year when he was able to take Rafal Nadal out of the tournament after two match balls that had been blocked . Again this year it is the Spaniard who has to be beaten in Mexico. Rafael Nadal starts the tournament in a purely Spanish duel against Pablo Andujar. Already in the second round there would be a real hit after the draw, as the ATP Cup duel of Rafael Nadal and Alex de Minaur could revive. The further draw looks much friendlier for the world ranking second: Dusan Lajovic would probably wait in the quarterfinals, Grigor Dimitrov or Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals.
Zverev with luck
Alexander Zverev got an easier start into the tournament according to the draw. The German meets the Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round. Mackenzie McDonald would probably wait in lap two. In the round of the best eight it would probably be against service giant John Isner, in the semi-final there could be a duel with defending champion Nick Kyrgios. Felix Auger-Aliasime is also in this half and, given the recent strong performance, may well see opportunities.
The draw meant friendlier with Alexander Zverev, who also has far more points to defend than Rafael Nadal. For the Spaniard, on the other hand, it's about shortening the gap to Novak Djokovic at the top of the ATP charts. Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev will take a break this week, taking a break before the ATP 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami. The two already have a few games in their legs, however, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev now have to find their way back into the rhythm of the game.