Food Poisoning Leaves Acapulco Tournament Without Top Favourites

The ATP 500 in Acapulco has been left virtually devoid of its top seeds following a food poisoning outbreak that forced several players to withdraw or severely affected their performance on the court. Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Tommy Paul, Alexander Zverev, and Ben Shelton, among others, were the main contenders for the title but had to make an early exit in the round of 16, leaving the tournament in disarray.

Norwegian Ruud, last year's runner-up and second seed, could not even play his round of 16 match against Rodrigo Pacheco Méndez, allowing the Mexican to advance automatically to the quarter-finals. "I hoped to overcome this stomach illness that appeared yesterday," Ruud explained on social media, adding, "I tried everything possible to play, but I couldn't."

The situation was mirrored by third seed Tommy Paul, who also had to withdraw before taking to the court against compatriot Marcos Girón. Holger Rune, the fourth seed, attempted to compete but only lasted three games against Brandon Nakashima before being forced to retire. "Furious and very sad at the same time," he expressed on social media.

In the cases of Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton, both managed to play their respective matches, but the effects of the illness were evident. The German, the top seed, fell with little resistance to young American Learner Tien (6-3, 6-4), while Shelton also succumbed to David Goffin (7-6, 6-3).

The situation has caused an upheaval in the tournament draw, leaving Tomas Machac (8) and Denis Shapovalov (9) as the only surviving seeds heading into the quarter-finals. Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich, who eliminated Frances Tiafoe, also emerges as a potential title contender in a tournament marked by uncertainty.