The ATP Delray Beach Open is back for its 24th edition taking place at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. 2021 champion Hubert Hurkacz is not here to defend his title, but Reilly Opelka, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Kevin Anderson all return as former champions. The 28-man tournament is littered with Americans, 14 to be exact, but the #1 overall seed is the British Cameron Norrie. Five round one matches are on Monday’s slate, including Steve Johnson vs 2012 champion Kevin Anderson. But who will advance on day one?
ATP Delray Beach Day 1 Predictions
Oscar Otte vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: first meeting
German Oscar Otte comes to Delray Beach looking for his first match win since the first round of the Australian Open. His opponent, Yoshihito Nishioka, reached back to back Challenger finals in late January before falling in the second round of last week’s Dallas Open. He is 10-2 in his last 12 matches in all competitions. It is certainly hard to ignore the form Nishioka has been in lately. With that being said, this looks like a good matchup for the 6’4″ inch Otte. Otte is the harder hitter and should be able to dictate points. He also has the advantage on serve, which should be apparent early. Expect the German to prevail in what promises to be a close battle.
Prediction: Otte in 3
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Maxime Cressy vs John Millman
Head-to-head: first meeting
The USA’s Maxime Cressy shot up the rankings after his success in Australia, but is looking to bounce back from his first-round defeat in last week’s ATP Dallas Open. Veteran John Millman is his opponent after also falling in his opener in Dallas. These two have never met on the tour-level. Cressy’s serve-and-volley style is not seen much on tour anymore, but it don’t expect it to throw the 32-year-old Millman off of his game. Still, Cressy should find success with his serve which should allow him some easy put-always at the net. Expect the American to advance after a close three setter.
Prediction: Cressy in 3
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Peter Gojowczyk vs Andreas Seppi
Head-to-head: Gojowczyk 2-1 Seppi
Two veterans of the tour will be meeting for the fourth time in in the first at the ATP Delray Beach Open. German Peter Gojowczyk and Italian Andreas Seppi have played some hard-fought matches in the past, splitting their two hardcourt meetings. Both appeared in last week’s Dallas Open. Gojowczyk was knocked out in the first round, losing 1-6 4-6 at the hands of Liam Broady. Seppi, however, picked up a win over Daniel Altmaier before falling in three sets to eventual finalist Jenson Brooksby. Gojowczyk has lost his last ten matches dating back to September of 2021. Seppi is 3-5 since the start of the new year. It’s hard not to like the way the 37-year-old Italian has been playing of late and he should be able to cruise past the out of form Gojowczyk.
Prediction: Seppi in 2
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Brandon Nakashima vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: Kudla 1-0 Nakashima
Americans Brandon Nakashima and Denis Kudla will meet for the second time in their careers when they face off in the first round at the 2022 edition of the ATP Delray Beach Open. Kudla won the only previous match between the two, 3-6 7-6 6-4 last year in Washington DC, and will be hoping for a repeat this time around. But Nakashima has made a notably more impressive start to the season and is looking to make his move up the rankings as one of the next wave of American talents. Expect his consistency to see him prevail over his countryman.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2
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Steve Johnson vs Kevin Anderson
Head-to-head: Johnson 4-4 Anderson
Veterans Steve Johnson and Anderson will cap off day one in Delray on Stadium Court. Though the two have split their previous eight meetings, they have mot met since 2017. Both are former collegiate stars at Southern California and Illinois, respectively. Anderson, ravaged by injuries in recent times, has struggled to start the new year, but did pick up his first win of 2022 in his opener last time out in Dallas.
Steve Johnson is 5-4 this season, and has yet to advance past the second round at the four tournaments he has competed in. Expect to a fair number of aces from both players in this one with both players more comfortable serving than returning. Look for a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 type of scoreline. But the American plays the big points better and that should be the difference.
Prediction: Johnson in 3
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