Acapulco Open: Paul vs McDonald Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Acapulco Open as Tommy Paul takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the quarterfinal on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Will Tommy Paul get the win? Will Mackenzie McDonald pull off the upset? This will be an interesting one, where we have the No. 2 American taking on a stern test. Who will triumph and move through to the semifinals at the 2023 Acapulco Open?

Tommy Paul took down Mmoh 6-4 2-2, benefiting from a walkover from Mmoh. Paul has been playing some great tennis this season with a first-ever major semifinal appearance at last month’s Australian Open. He’ll be looking to advance to the final four yet again as he comes up against Mackenzie McDonald. If he wants to get the win, he’ll need to keep the rallies going as he’ll surely outlast McDonald from the baseline here at the 2023 Acapulco Open.

Mackenzie McDonald cruised past Brandon Nakashima 6-2 6-0 to set up a meeting with yet another American in Tommy Paul. McDonald has had some good results this year, and he’ll be backing himself as he comes into this match. If he wants to take down Paul, he’ll have to play an aggressive brand of tennis and look to keep the points short as these two clash for a place in the last four of the 2023 Acapulco Open.

Tommy Paul and Mackenzie McDonald have met once before, with Tommy Paul leading the head to head 1-0. Their one meeting came at this very tournament three years ago, with Paul winning in a tough three-setter. Paul has obviously improved quite a bit since then, and not to say that McDonald hasn’t as well, but Paul has ascended to a higher level and I expect him to put that on full display as he looks to move through to the semifinals at the 2023 Acapulco Open.