Four Americans still remain as quarterfinal day looms ahead of the ATP Delray Beach Open. Who will advance and who will be eliminated? Here is our daily preview for quarterfinals day.
ATP Delray Beach Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Tiafoe leads 1-0
Frances Tiafoe has been improving match by match here at Delray Beach. The 22-year-old American has yet to drop a set all week. What has been impressive is his ability to keep his cool during pressure points.
Ugo Humbert, who won his maiden singles title in Auckland last month, has had a bit of a blip since winning that title. The Frenchman has failed to capture back-to-back since that win in Auckland, But he has broken that spell here in Delray Beach this week by defeating both Stefan Kozlov and Miomir Kecmanovic.
Despite Humbert not having the best run-up to this tournament, expect this match still to be a close one. The Frenchman has the ability to push Tiafoe to a third set for sure. But does Humbert have the belief to close it out considering he has not had the best of form recently.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: First meeting
Brandon Nakashima continues to impress the tennis world. The talented 18-year-old American knocked out world no. 60 Cameron Norrie in straight sets 7-5 6-4 a couple of days ago to advance to the quarterfinals here at Delray Beach.
Yoshihito Nishioka will know the talent and firepower that Nakashima will bring. But can he cope and find a way to play the match on his own terms? Nakashima is currently playing without any pressure and has nothing-to-lose-for attitude. And if a player has a mindset like that, they are tough to beat.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Soon-Woo Kwon vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: First meeting
Despite not having the best start to his season, Opelka has looked comfortable and has played well here at Delray Beach this week. The 6′ 9″ American edged through Ernests Gulbis in his opening match 6-7 6-4 7-6, and beat his compatriot Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets 6-3 6-4 a couple of days ago.
It will be a tall order for the Korean to break through Opelka’s serve, who has not been broken all week. Kwon, has already been broken in his own service game five times this week, will need to find a way to hold his own service game. If the 22-year-old doesn’t have a good serving day himself, he will struggle to get any rhythm in the match.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Steve Johnson vs Milos Raonic
Head-to-head: Raonic leads 3-1
Milos Raonic has been improving steadily match by match this week. The Canadian is yet to drop a set and has not been broken in all his matches. If he continues to improve like that, Steve Johnson will find it increasingly difficult to have any sort of momentum in this match. Not only that but the 30-year-old American will be finding himself in a lot of pressure moments to hold his own serve.
Johnson will need to depend on whether Raonic has any drop of level in the match and capitalize on that opportunity. But so far Raonic has looked flawless.
Prediction: Raonic in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
