Tommy Paul vs Matteo Berrettini Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Acapulco Open

Prediction published on 22/02/2022, 07:18  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/02/2022 at 08:19 in Tennis Predictions

World number six Matteo Berrettini takes on Tommy Paul in the first round of the Mexican Open. Berrettini is the fifth seed for this tournament and the winner of this match takes on Dusan Lajovic in the second round. The Italian made a good start to the year by reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open, losing to eventual winner Rafa Nadal. He didn't play again until last week and was beaten in the last eight in Rio. Again, he lost to the player who'd go on to win the title, this time Carlos Alcarez. This is his first match against Tommy Paul.

His American opponent is world ranked 39th, a rise of four places since the start of the year. Paul began 2022 well with two quarter final appearances in Australian Open warm-up events in Adelaide, though the highest ranked player beaten was Frances Tiafoe (37th at the time). He didn't do so well in the first Grand Slam of the year, losing in the second round to Miomir Kecmanovic, who was the world number 77 that week. Since that disappointing loss, Paul has played one tournament, making it to the semi-finals at the Delray Beach Open held last week. He won two matches on his way to a defeat by eventual champion Cameron Norrie, but both players beaten were ranked outside the top 150. Paul has only ever had two wins over players ranked in the top ten. Go for Berrettini to get the win here.