Anderson sails through but Isner departs
It was a mixed day for seeds at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel as Kevin Anderson eased to victory after John Isner was eliminated.
Flying high after winning the New York Open, Anderson continued his fine form by accounting for Radu Albot 6-4 6-3 on Monday.
The fifth seed relied on his serve in Acapulco, firing down 11 aces, while winning 88 per cent of his first serves against the Moldovan.
South Africa's Anderson will face either Adrian Mannarino or Ricardas Berankis in the second round.
In career best form, @KAndersonATP sails into the #AMT2018 second round 6-4 6-3 over Albot.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2018
Finishes off the night in style in Acapulco. pic.twitter.com/XLn6Zq5wbm
Big-serving American and eighth seed Isner fell at the first hurdle at the ATP 250 tournament, which is headlined by 16-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal.
Isner succumbed to countryman Ryan Harrison 6-3 7-6 (7-5) on the Mexican hard courts.
There was some revenge for four-time winner David Ferrer, who defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-3.
Four-time Ferrer earns revenge in Acapulco.
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) February 27, 2018
More https://t.co/t4GBR8t6Ff #ATP pic.twitter.com/Kpmszo0PUs
Rublev upstaged Ferrer at the Australian Open last month but the Spanish veteran avoided another loss to the 20-year-old.
As for Jared Donaldson, he was leading 6-3 3-2 when Nikoloz Basilashvili retired.
Meanwhile, Federico Delbonis and Leonardo Mayer advanced at the Brasil Open.
Delbonis – the 2014 champion and eighth seed – beat Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 6-4.
Next up is Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who outlasted Gerald Melzer 6-4 3-6 6-3 on clay in Sao Paulo.
Wildly outrageous from @thiagoswild...#BrasilOpen2018 pic.twitter.com/y7UmRfV9y6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 26, 2018
Fifth seed Mayer saved two match points in a 5-7 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-5) victory over Gastao Elias, Carlos Berlocq rallied past Thiago Seyboth Wild 3-6 6-3 6-2, while Joao Domingues prevailed 2-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 against Renzo Olivo.