Mexican Open news: Daniil Medvedev has Rafael Nadal lurking with No 1 ranking in his sights

Tennis fans could get a replay of the 2022 Australian Open final as early as the Mexican Open semi-final as Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal have landed in the same half of the draw.
The duo battled for five hours and 24 minutes in the showpiece match at Melbourne Park in January with Nadal coming out on top, and they could meet again in the last four in Acapulco.
Medvedev starts the ATP 500 event as the top seed and there will be plenty at stake as a title run will see him replace Novak Djokovic as No 1 in the ATP Rankings regardless of the Serbian’s results at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Russian, who will kick off his campaign against mercurial Frenchman Benoit Paire, can also become world No 1 if Djokovic doesn’t reach the quarter-final in the Middle East.
Singles Main Draw #AMT2022 🎾#NewBeginnings pic.twitter.com/T0FRVIBzvd
— Abierto Mexicano (@AbiertoTelcel) February 19, 2022
Medvedev is projected to meet seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final before a possible tasty semi-final against two-time Acapulco champion Nadal.
Australian Open champion Nadal has a tricky opening clash against the big-serving Reilly Opelka with the American fresh from a run to the Delray Beach Open final.
The big danger man lurking for Nadal is Matteo Berretttini as the fifth-seeded Italian could be a quarter-final opponent, although the likes of Grigor Dimitrov and Sebastian Korda are also in the section.
Defending champion Alexander Zverev leads the way in the bottom half and the second seed starts his campaign against Jenson Brooksby and sixth seed Cameron Norrie from Great Britain or Rio Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz is the projected last-eight opponent.
However, an even spicier semi-final could await should Zverev make it as third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas leads the top section of the half and the Greek will face Laslo Dere first up.
Latest
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev now loves playing in France
The Russian’s relationship with Paris has been a slow burner.
-
French Open
Dan Evans ‘couldn’t care less’ about being booed off
The British number two lost in straight sets to Swede Mikael Ymer,
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev happy to grind past Serbian Laslo Djere
Daniil Medvedev was a relieved man after powering past Laslo Djere in straight sets at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek makes quick work of Alison Riske to claim 30th straight win
Iga Swiatek makes it 30 wins on the bounce after dismantling Alison Riske.
-
French Open
Wildcard Leolia Jeanjean goes from living on minimum wage to £107k payday after ousting Karolina Pliskova
Good times are here for Leolia Jeanjean.
-
Tennis News
Serena Williams and Roger Federer farewells: Will they play again? Will they go out on the big stage?
Will Serena and Roger make a big fuss?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic feels PTPA should’ve been part of Wimbledon talks ‘as players’ voices are not heard enough’
“The system has failed players so many times,” says Novak Djokovic.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic reignite bitter war of words
Nick Kyrgios let Bernard Tomic have it.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev opens up about mental health struggles: ‘I think I was quite depressed at times’
Alexander Zverev on his mental health struggles and social media.