Acapulco 2023 Day 4: Men's Singles Predictions ft. Mackenzie McDonald vs Tommy Paul | Mexican Open

The fourth day of main draw action at the 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco on Thursday (March 1) will feature all four quarterfinals. Five seeds and a qualifier will be in action.

On Wednesday, the likes of Taro Daniel, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul booked their place in the last eight, beating second seed Casper Ruud, Feliciano Lopez and Michael Mmoh respectively.

Without further ado, here's a look at how the four quarterfinals at the Mexican Open could pan out:

#1 Mackenzie McDonald vs Tommy Paul

Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie McDonald will take on seventh seed Tommy Paul in an all-American first quarterfinal at the Mexican Open.

World No. 62 McDonald improved to 11-5 on the season with a pair of wins - against Luciano Darderi and Brandon Nakashima - this week. Meanwhile, the 23rd-ranked Paul saw off Emilio Gomez and Michael Mmoh and is now 10-3 in 2023.

The Australian Open semifinalist took his lone meeting against McDonald in Acapulco three years ago and should do so again.

Prediction: Paul in straight sets.

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#2 Alex de Minaur vs Taro Daniel

Alex de Minaur

Eighth seed Alex de Minaur will lock horns with qualifier Taro Daniel for a place in the last eight at the Mexican Open.

The 22nd-ranked De Minaur beat Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez and Jacopo Berrettini to improve to 9-4 on the season. Meanwhile, World No. 125 Daniel saw off J.J. Wolf and second seed Casper Ruud this week and is now 4-2 in 2023.

De Minaur took his lone meeting with Daniel at the US Open in 2018 and should emerge victorious again.

Prediction: De Minaur in straight sets

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#3 Taylor Fritz (2020 Mexican Open finalist) vs Frances Tiafoe

Taylor Fritz

Third seed Taylor Fritz will take on sixth seed Frances Tiafoe in another all-American quarterfinal at the Mexican Open.

World No. 5 Fritz survived two tough rounds this week - beating the big-serving John Isner and Denis Shapovalov - to improve to 13-3 in 2023.

Meanwhile, the 15th-ranked Tiafoe saw off left-handers Yoshihito Nishioka and Feliciano Lopez and now has 10 wins in 12 matches this season.

Fritz has dominated his rivalry with Tiafoe, beating his compatriot five times in six meetings. Their last meeting was at the 2022 Tokyo Open final - which Fritz won - and the World No. 5 should prevail again.

Prediction: Fritz in three sets

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#4 Matteo Berrettini vs Holger Rune

Matteo Berrettini

Matteo Berrettini will take on fourth seed Holger Rune to complete the quarterfinal lineup at the Mexican Open.

The 24th-ranked Berrettini is now 5-3 in 2023 after seeing off Alex Molcan and Elias Ymer.

Meanwhile, World No. 10 notched up wins over Ben Shelton and Nuno Borges this week to improve to 10-4 on the season.

Berrettini took the pair's lone meeting at Indian Wells last year, but Rune should take this one.

Prediction: Rune in three sets