As the current week is unfolding, so does the ATP 500 event in acapulco, Mexico where the top-seeded players made few mistakes. Among the first eight players, only 3 of them failed to reach the quarterfinals. John Isner, Jack Sock, and David Goffin all saw their hopes shredded. The other 5 did their job properly, and some interesting clashes are set in the next phase of the tournament. Rafael Nadal, the 2nd seed, and the who leads the pack of the bottom half seems unstoppable on the outdoor hard of Acapulco.

Nadal ousted Lorenzi

The Spaniard, who recently returned to form in Australia, made his first appearance since Melbourne.

In Acapulco, his game is rather consistent as he sails to the higher stages. Against Paolo Lorenzi (38 ATP), Nadal did everything by the book. The Italian had nothing to throw in against the world no. 6 who won the match in straight sets 6-1 6-1. A solid display of tennis and Nadal is looking better and better. His serve went down perfectly allowing no chances for Lorenzi. In the quarterfinals, it'll be Yoshihito Nishioka (86 ATP) from Japan to take on Nadal, but the Spaniard has the first chance. The 21-years-old Japanese rising star will face Nadal for the first time. Nishioka, who recently came up on the ATP radar, and Nadal have one thing in common as they are both left-handed tennis players.

Nadal's projected run

If he gets past the young Japanese, Rafael Nadal's path will unfold in the form of a possible encounter with Marin Cilic (8 ATP). The Croatian is featuring in the 2nd showdown of the bottom half of the draw against Steve Johnson (26 ATP). With a substantial presence at the start of the tournament, the United States contingent is now represented by two athletes, Johnson and Sam Querrey (40 ATP) who is set to face Dominic Thiem (9 ATP).

For those watching this event closely, the idea of men's singles final having Djokovic and Nadal at its start is growing fast, especially after the Serb went through a difficult test against del Potro. Djokovic and Nadal had their last meeting last year in Rome, so it just might be the time for another epic battle.