Zverev, Del Potro untroubled as Nishikori crashes out

Acapulco, February 28: Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro eased into the Mexican Open second round, while Kei Nishikori made an early exit on Tuesday (February 27).

Zverev, the highest-ranked player in the draw after Rafael Nadal's withdrawal due to injury, was too good for Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 7-5.

The German served seven aces and progressed in 80 minutes despite only converting two of 10 break points.

Zverev will face countryman Peter Gojowczyk, who cruised past wildcard Lucas Gomez 6-3, 6-2, in the next round.

Sixth seed Del Potro made light work of Zverev's brother Mischa, claiming a straightforward 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Dominic Thiem, the 2016 champion, faced a stern test but the third seed eventually got past qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

Thiem's draw has been made slightly easier after Nishikori was beaten by Denis Shapovalov.

The Canadian teenager recorded a 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-1 win over Nishikori, who marked his ATP World Tour return with a run to the New York Open semi-finals this month.

That was just one of several upsets as defending champion Sam Querrey and fourth seed Jack Sock exited.

Querrey was stunned by Matthew Ebden 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) and Sock went down to qualifier Ernesto Escobedo 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

Feliciano Lopez, who was due to face Nadal, made the most of an easier first-round clash, overcoming lucky loser Taro Daniel 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Spaniard will next face Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian wildcard beat Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-3.

Hyeon Chung bested Donald Young 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, Adrian Mannarino downed Ricardas Berankis 7-5, 6-1 and Diego Schwartzman defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-4, just days after overcoming the Spaniard in the Rio Open final.

At the Brasil Open, sixth seed Guido Pella battled past Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and Tennys Sandgren was ousted by Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-0, 6-4.

Guilherme Clezar, Nicolas Jarry, Horacio Zeballos, Nicolas Kicker and Sebastian Ofner also moved into the second round.

Source: OPTA