Denis Shapovalov will try to continue his winning streak when he goes up against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Acapulco semifinals on Friday. The winner will battle either Tomas Machac or Brandon Nakashima for the title.
(9) Denis Shapovalov vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Shapovalov and Davidovich Fokina will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Friday. Their only previous meeting came three years ago at the Indian Wells Masters, where Shapovalov prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. The 32nd-ranked Canadian heads into the rematch on a career-best eight-match winning streak. His surge includes an ATP 500 title in Dallas followed by Acapulco victories over Nishesh Basavareddy, Alex Michelsen, and Marcos Giron.
Davidovich Fokina should have won a title of his own earlier this month but squandered double-championship point in Delray Beach against Miomir Kecmanovic. The 48th-ranked Spaniard is looking to turn the tables this week. He came back from quadruple-match point down against Mattia Bellucci in round one before beating Frances Tiafoe in three sets and Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez in straights. As well as Davidovich Fokina is playing, Shapovalov enjoyed a more routine path to the semis. And when the left-hander is hot like he is right now, he can play at a top-10 level.
Pick: Shapovalov in 3
(8) Tomas Machac vs. Brandon Nakashima
Along with Shapovalov, Machac has been one of the two best players throughout the week in Acapulco. That is nothing new for the 25th-ranked Czech, who has been in incredible form dating back to last season. Machac has already picked up 10 match wins in 2025, too, after taking out Jakub Mensik, Daniel Altmaier, and Learner Tien earlier in the tournament. Only Mensik managed to snag a set.
Up next for the eighth seed is a first-ever showdown against Nakashima. It has been a routine week for the 42nd-ranked American, but the competition level in the first three rounds was underwhelming. He beat world No. 62 Benjamin Bonzi and world No. 63 David Goffin in addition to getting a first-set retirement from Holger Rune. A much tougher test awaits in the form of Machac; it may be one that is too tough for Nakashima.
Pick: Machac in 2
