Both Rio Open finalists (world number two Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, and Cameron Norrie of Great Britain) have both pulled out of the 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco. Alcaraz pulled out because of a hamstring injury according to Nigel Chiu of Eurosport, while Norrie decided not to participate due to fatigue.
It has been an exceptionally busy last two weeks in South America for Alcaraz and Norrie. Both players faced each other in two separate finals on the continent during the month of February. Alcaraz beat Norrie in the final of the Argentina Open, 6-3, 7-5, on February 19. Norrie responded with a 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 win over Alcaraz in the final of the Rio Open on February 26.
Alcaraz was to face Mackenzie MacDonald of the United States on Tuesday in the first round of Alcapulco. McDonald ended up facing Luciano Darderi of Italy, with McDonald victorious 6-4, 6-2. Then in the second round, McDonald gave the beatdown to fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 6-0. On Thursday in the quarterfinals, McDonald will play Australian Open semifinalist and seventh seed Tommy Paul of the United States.
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Norrie was to face Adrian Mannarino of France, also in the first round on Tuesday. Elias Ymer of Sweden was Norrie’s replacement in the draw, and beat Mannarino 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
In addition to pulling out of the Mexican Open, Alcaraz has withdrawn from an exhibition match that was scheduled against fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas on Sunday prior to Indian Wells. Nadal meanwhile is suffering from a hip flexor he suffered at the Australian Open, and has pulled out of Indian Wells and Miami.
