Acapulco 2023 Day 1: Men's Singles Predictions ft. Denis Shapovalov vs Miomir Kecmanovic, Christopher Eubanks vs Feliciano Lopez

The first day of main draw action at the 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco will feature nine singles matches. Five seeds, two wildcards and two qualifiers will be in action.

The latest stop on the Latin American Golden Swing has a bevy of top stars competing for the title. Headlined by Carlos Alcaraz, the ATP 500 event has Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune and the in-form Cameron Norrie as its top five seeds.

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Without further ado, here's a look at how the nine singles matches on the first day at the Mexican Open could pan out:

#1 Taylor Fritz (2020 Acapulco finalist) vs John Isner

Third seed Taylor Fritz will open his Mexican Open campaign against compatriot John Isner.

The seventh-ranked Fritz (11-3) has had a good start to the season, winning the Delray Beach title, while World No. 36 Isner is 4-3. Isner has a 3-2 H2H lead over Fritz, but the former Acapulco finalist should take this one.

Prediction: Fritz in straight sets

#2 Ben Shelton vs Holger Rune

Wildcard Ben Shelton will take on fourth seed Holger Rune in his Acapulco opener. The 42nd-ranked Shelton is 5-3 on the season, while World No. 10 Rune is 10-4.

Rune should take this first-time matchup against the Australian Open quarterfinalist.

Prediction: Rune in straight sets

#3 Guido Andreozzi vs Casper Ruud

Qualifier Guido Andreozzi will take on second seed Casper Ruud for a place in the Acapulco second round.

World No. 373 Andreozzi is making his season debut, while World No. 4 Ruud is 2-3 on the season, having not played since losing in the Australian Open second round last month. Nevertheless, the Norwegian should emerge victorious in this first-time clash.

Prediction: Ruud in straight sets.

#4 Denis Shapovalov vs Miomir Kecmanovic

Denis Shapovalov opens his Mexican Open campaign against Miomir Kecmanovic.

The 27th-ranked Shapovalov is 4-4 in 2023, while World No. 30 Kecmanovic is 7-5. The Canadian has won both previous meetings against Kecmanovic and should do so again.

Prediction: Shapovalov in three sets

#5 Yoshihito Nishioka vs Frances Tiafoe

Yoshihito Nishioka will lock horns with sixth seed Frances Tiafoe in the opening round in Acapulco.

World No. 32 Nishioka is 8-3 in 2023, while the 15th-ranked Tiafoe is 8-2. The American has won the pair's two previous meetings and should emerge victorious again.

Prediction: Tiafoe in straight sets

#6 Emilio Gomez vs Tommy Paul

Emilio Gomez will open his Mexican Open campaign against seventh seed Tommy Paul.

The 91st-ranked Gomez is 3-2 on the season, while World No. 21 Paul is 8-3. The Australian Open semifinalist should take this first-time matchup.

Prediction: Paul in straight sets

#7 Marcos Giron vs Michael Mmoh

In another all-American first-round matchup, Marcos Giron will take on Michael Mmoh.

The 55th-ranked Giron is 7-5 in 2023, while World No. 82 Mmoh is 5-4. Giron beat his compatriot in their lone meeting in Melbourne two years ago and should do so again.

Prediction: Giron in straight sets

#8 Christopher Eubanks vs Feliciano Lopez

Christopher Eubanks will open his Acapulco campaign against wildcard Feliciano Lopez.

The 102nd-ranked Eubanks is 2-4 in 2023, while World No. 1039 Lopez is making his season debut, having lost all 11 matches last year. Eubanks should win this first-time matchup.

Prediction: Eubanks in three sets

#9 Taro Daniel vs J.J. Wolf

Qualifier Taro Daniel will take on J.J. Wolf in his Acapulco opener. The 108th-ranked Daniel is 2-2 in 2023, while World No. 39 Wolf is 8-4.