The upcoming week of the ATP calendar is going to be split in half as some of the top players will hit the court in Dubai, while another herd will cross the Atlantic Ocean having the Acapulco 500 event on their radars. Among them is Rafael Nadal, 2017 Australian Open runner-up and one of the best players in tennis history. The Spaniard will join Djokovic to complete a fabulous main draw in Mexico. The draw is not out yet, but the prospect of some great encounters is definitely on the table. For Nadal, it'll be the first one out of three hard outdoor events he is expected to play during throughout March.
Nadal will be the 3rd seed in the event
The main draw for men's singles is not there yet, but Rafael Nadal, the world no. 6, is expected to be the 3rd seed. The math is simple- 2 other players are attending Acapulco with a higher ranking that Nadal has. Djokovic who benefits from a wild-card entry will be the first seed followed by the 26-years-old Canadian Milos Raonic. Marin Cilic, the world no. Seven is expected to clinch the 4th seeded spot. That means that Nadal might play against Djokovic or Raonic not sooner than the semis. But to get there, it'll no be an easy job as the list of competitors is packed with heavy opponents such as David Goffin (10 ATP), Juan Martin del Potro or Alexander Zverev, the young tennis hope who pushed Nadal into a five sets thriller at the Australian Open back in January.
Besides, the defending champion, Dominic Thiem of Austria will be in the main draw. The 22-years-old is playing a great tennis this week in another Atp 500 event in Rio de Janeiro.
No pressure yet for the Spaniard
Back in 2016, this part of the season was nothing but frustration for the Spaniard. His pace was way off its regular course, his level of confidence as well.
A sinking ship in the early stages of 2016, Nadal bounced back during the clay court session. And that is going to be the pivotal part of this season too. He has to defend lots f points, and of course, there is the French Open where he has a chance to add a 10th French Open crown to his showcase.
