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Match Details
Fixture: (7) Tommy Paul vs (8) Alex de Minaur.
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Tournament: Mexican Open 2023.
Round: Final.
Venue: Acapulco, Mexico.
Category: ATP 500.
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: $2,013,940.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Tommy Paul vs Alex de Minaur preview
Seventh seed Tommy Paul will take on eighth seed Alex de Minaur in the final of the 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco on Saturday (March 4).
World No. 23 Paul has been on a roll this week at the ATP 500 event. After opening his campaign against Emilio Gomez, Paul downed three compatriots on the trot - Michael Mmoh, Mackenzie McDonald and third seed Taylor Fritz - to reach his first final of the season.
In the process, the Australian Open semifinalist improved to an impressive 12-3 in 2023.
Paul outlasted Fritz in a three-hour late-night thriller in Acapulco, converting his sixth match point in the deciding set tiebreak to reach his second singles final. It is also his first summit clash at an ATP 500 event. At three hours and 25 minutes, it was the longest match in the history of the Mexican Open.
Meanwhile, World No. 22 De Minaur opened his campaign against Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez. He then beat Jacopo Berrettini and Taro Daniel to make the last four.
There, the Australian took out fourth seed Holger Rune, recovering from a break down, to reach his first final of the season and improve to 11-4 in 2023. Earlier in the season, De Minaur made the second week at the Australian Open and quarterfinals in Rotterdam and Marseille.
Tommy Paul vs Alex de Minaur head-to-head record
Paul is yet to lock horns with De Minaur on the tour, so the pair's head-to-head record stands at 0-0.
Tommy Paul vs Alex de Minaur odds
All odds as per BETMGM.
Tommy Paul vs Alex de Minaur prediction
Tommy Paul and Alex de Minaur have similar gamestyles, as both are quintessential baseliners and look to dominate opponents from the back of the court. They move well and hit powerfully off either flank, making this a tough matchup to call.
The American is enjoying a career-best season, with his confidence sky-high after reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open in January. Meanwhile, De Minaur has been steady, if not spectacular, this year as he eyes his first ATP 500 title.
Both players went the distance in the last four, but following his exploits against Fritz, Paul could be a bit more exhausted than De Minaur. So expect the Australian to win this one.
Prediction: De Minaur in three sets.
