Acapulco 2023: Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Mexican Open
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe
Date: March 1, 2023.
Tournament: Mexican Open 2023.
Round: Second Round (Round of 16).
Venue: Acapulco, Mexico.
Category: ATP 500.
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt.
Prize money: $2,013,940.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe preview
Third seed Taylor Fritz will face sixth seed Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals of the Mexican Open on Thursday (March 2).
Fritz has started the 2023 season strongly, winning 13 out of 16 matches so far, along with a win at the Delray Beach Open to his name. The 25-year-old started the Mexican Open with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over compatriot John Isner.
He faced Denis Shapovalov in the round of 16 and made the first break of the match in the fifth game of the opening set. This turned out to be crucial as he won the set 6-4. Fritz was cruising through the second set and broke twice to take a 4-1 lead before Shapovalov showed some resistance by pulling a break back.
However, the day belonged to the American and he eventually won the set 6-4 to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Frances Tiafoe has won 10 out of 12 matches so far this season and played a key role in Team USA winning the inaugural edition of the United Cup where he won each of his five singles matches.
The 24-year-old followed this up with a third-round exit at the Australian Open and a quarter-final elimination at the Dallas Open. Tiafoe entered the Mexican Open as the sixth seed and beat Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the first round. He then beat Feliciano Lopez 6-2, 7-6 (8) to seal his spot in the quarter-finals.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe head-to-head
Fritz leads 5-1 in the head-to-head against Tiafoe. The last meeting between the two came in the final of last year's Japan Open, with Fritz winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe prediction
Fritz will enter the match as the favorite to win but Tiafoe has produced some very good tennis over the past few months. He is capable of giving the 25-year-old a run for his money.
The World No. 5 was very strong on his first serve in his last match against Shapovalov, serving seven aces and winning 28 out of 29 points. He also hit 20 winners compared to a meager seven unforced errors.
Fritz will rely heavily on his serve and forehand and will look to put pressure on Tiafoe from the start of the match. His on-court movement and ability to hit winners from anywhere will also come in handy.
Tiafoe has been very dominant on his serve so far throughout the tournament, serving 15 aces and winning 98 out of 129 points. The 24-year-old has also hit 58 while producing 34 unforced errors.
Tiafoe has a very aggressive and adventurous style of play thanks to his strong serve and forehand. However, he will have to be careful not to hit too many unforced errors against someone like Fritz.
Tiafoe will no doubt come out all guns blazing but it's hard to see Fritz losing with the kind of form he has been in lately.
Pick: Fritz to win in three sets.