After some thrilling tennis and big upsets so far at the ATP Delray Beach Open, just eight men remain in the draw ahead of the quarterfinals. Some men exceeded expectations, others, such as Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios, failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing. Nonetheless, there has been no shortage of excitement and the quarterfinals should provide more of the same. But who will advance to the semifinals?
Andreas Seppi vs Daniel Evans
The Italian, who reached the third round at Melbourne Park in January, made his way into the quarterfinals on the back of a couple of solid performances. In the first round, he beat Bernard Tomic 6-4 7-5, before dispatching Tomic’s countryman Jordan Thompson 6-3 4-6 6-1. Against the British qualifier, however, he faces a sterner task. Evans, who has gone 3-1 at tour-level this year and upset defending champion Frances Tiafoe in the first round, should have enough variety and power to take Seppi out of his comfort zone in what will be the first meeting between the pair.
Prediction: Evans in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs John Isner
Despite a run to the semifinals at the New York Open last week, Isner entered the ATP Delray Beach with more losses than wins in 2019. But he quickly righted his trajectory with impressive wins over Canada’s Peter Polansky and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia. Mannarino, meanwhile, proved too strong for New York finalist Brayden Schnur and Denis Istomin. This will be the eighth meeting between these two players and Isner, who leads the head-to-head 6-1, has won the last five. Isner, then, should feel confident about his chances ahead of this one and expect him to get the better of the Frenchman again.
Prediction: Isner in 2
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Steve Johnson vs Radu Albot
Like his countryman Isner, Johnson had struggled so far this year but looks to have regained his form at the ATP Delray Beach with straight-sets wins over Jason Jung and Paolo Lorenzi. However, his match against Albot will not be straightforward. The Moldovan scored a battling win over Kyrgios in Thursday’s second round, in a match that is sure to have taken an emotional and physical toll. Johnson and Albot have split their previous two meetings, but with Johnson looking to be in good form and certain to receive the backing of the crowd, expect the American to be the man to reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Johnson in 2
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Juan Martin del Potro vs Mackenzie McDonald
A cloud of uncertainty looms over del Potro, after the Argentine’s acknowledgement that his knee injury could force his withdrawal. But if that eventuality does not come to pass, one can expect a good contest. The top seed, despite his knee issue, is yet to drop a set having accounted for Yoshihito Nishioka and New York Open champion Reilly Opelka in straight-sets. McDonald had to rally from a set down to beat seventh seed Taylor Fritz, before besting Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5 6-4. The key for McDonald will be to push del Potro around the court, which could wear the world #4 down. If he can keep del Potro on the move, the American will be in a strong position to win their first career meeting.
Prediction: McDonald in 2
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