The Pick: Sebastian Korda vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime, ATP Acapulco

Rising stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda are set to face off for the first time on Wednesday in Acapulco. It likely won’t be the last encounter between the two 20-year-olds, and while they have evolved on very different timelines, they are undoubtedly two of the ATP’s most promising young prospects.

Korda’s 7-5, 6-2 scoreline over Marin Cilic may look like a beatdown—and it certainly was at the end—but it's only because the Croatian refused to take control of the match, converting just one of 11 break-point opportunities in the first set while simultaneously squandering a 5-2 lead. Korda would finish with an astonishing six consecutive breaks on Cilic’s serve.

Auger-Aliassime battled some demons of his own as he struggled to slam the door on Tennys Sandgren. The Canadian played an abysmal game when serving for the match at 5-4 in the second-set, and needed six match-points to finish the job, 6-3, 7-6 (8).

According to the oddsmakers, Auger-Aliassime is listed as a slight -150 favorite over the American. Korda is very good and certainly fast-improving, but that line seems a tad disrespectful towards the world No. 18, who, on a good day, can be simply unplayable.

Korda has the advantage in the backhand department and will do everything in his power to engage the Canadian in as many backhand exchanges as possible. He puts his backhand wherever he wants, with some serious pace.

Korda defends incredibly well from his backhand wing, and will look to drive his two-hander with a sharp crosscourt angle in order to avoid the Canadian’s massive forehand. This pattern will serve him well on Wednesday.

As usual, Auger-Aliassime will own the forehand-to-forehand advantage. This pattern will work well, as Korda doesn’t defend his forehand nearly as well as his backhand.

Auger-Aliassime should aim to open up the court by hitting to Korda’s forehand, and then finish the point to the open backhand-court.

Korda will need to tighten up his service games if he plans on pulling the upset. No player can afford to gift the Canadian a look at 15 break points. In the end, expect Auger-Aliassime’s heavy serve and forehand combo to wear down the American. Korda is more than capable of beating Auger-Aliassime, but at -150, the Canadian is the clear-cut pick in this first of many meetings.

The Pick: Felix Auger-Aliassime