In parallel to the action in Dubai, another ATP 500 tournament takes place in Acapulco, where the main draw is stacked with many top-notch players who have already played two rounds in goal to line up the quarterfinals field.
Carlos Alcaraz was supposed to be the headline of Acapulco's field this week, but the world's number 2 suffers from an injury issues which has interrupted him in showing the full variety of performance during last week's final of ATP 500 in Rio De Janeiro, where the Spaniard came up short to Cameron Norrie. The Brit, who celebrated one of his best career's wins was also scheduled to play in Mexico, but withdrew before the start same as his opponent from two back-to-back finals in South American clay swing.
Mackenzie Mcdonald capitalized on the withdrawal of Alcaraz. The American who was paired with Alcaraz in first round clash, routined the qualies lucky loser Luciano Darderi instead, and defeated the fellowcountry Brandon Nakashima in second round, moving into quarters. McDonald will play another American there, as he will face Tommy Paul. The recent Australian Open semifinalist advanced to QFs after defeating Emiliano Gomez in straight sets and Michael Mmoh, who pulled out due to an injury during the 2nd round's match against Paul.
Top half of the draw looks like the Americans championships, as Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will line-up the stunning quarterfinal pairing between two currently best ranked males from US. Fritz had quite a difficult road to QFs besides being seeded as #3. The world's number 5 has needed to overcome John Isner in first round's three-setter, coming back from being a set down, 3-6 6-3 6-4. Denis Shapovalov was another dangerous unseeded floater on the road, but Fritz routined the Canadian 6-4 6-4 in under 80 minutes of play. Tiafoe advanced to quarters after defeating Feliciano Lopez in second round. The Spaniard, who got awarded with wild card entrance into main draw, managed to overcome Christopher Eubanks in his first round, winning 7-6(3) 6-4. Great story for the 41 years-old Spanish veteran, who fulfills himself as a tennis activist and tournaments host outside the court, while still being capable to show a perform the game on the highest level.
Holger Rune and Matteo Berrettini will set up another impressive QFs clash. The world's number 10 needed to fight back from being down a set in an exciting first round match against Ben Shelton, winning it eventually 6-7(9) 6-4 6-2. The Italian had quite an easy route there, advancing to the second round after just 7 games played against Alex Molcan who pulled out of the match and winning 6-3 6-3 against Elias Ymer in 2nd round.
Taro Daniel earned one of his best career's win by making a big upset on world's number 4 - Casper Ruud. The Japanese defeated the favorize Norwegian in third set tiebreak despite defending two match points in 12th game of the decider. 7-5 2-6 7-6(5) for the world's number 125 who advanced to main draw after qualies and will face the seed #8 Alex De Minaur in quarterfinal.
