Expect plenty of entertaining semifinal action at the ATP Delray Beach Open. Both matches are intriguing on paper with all four players no doubt desperate to reach the semifinal in Florida. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both matches, but who will come out on top?
ATP Delray Beach Semifinal Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Radu Albot
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 1-1 Albot
Radu Albot has enjoyed a welcome return to form so far this week at the ATP Delray Beach Open. The Moldovan has fallen outside the world’s top 100 and entered this week with just one tour-level win to his name in 2023. But he has been back to his best in Florida, scoring wins over fellow veteran Fernando Verdasco, Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic and recent Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul, all without dropping a set. He will next face fourth seed Miomir Kecmanovic.
The Serbian enjoyed a first-round bye, starting his campaign in the second round against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. It was not entirely straightforward for Kecmanovic, but he eventually ran out a 6-3 7-5 winner. He backed that up by beating Marcos Giron 6-3 7-6. One suspects he will be made to work harder here. But there is a gap of 80 places between this pair in the ATP rankings for a reason. Provided Kecmanovic keeps his focus, he should win this match.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Taylor Fritz vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: Fritz 3-1 McDonald
Somewhat surprisingly, despite having won three of their four meetings, Taylor Fritz lost in his only previous tour-level meeting with Mackenzie McDonald. That match was contested at this very event back in 2019, with McDonald winning a hard-fought three-setter. He has been made to work hard for his wins this week as well. After opening his account with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 win over Taro Daniel, he has been taken the distance by Yoshihito Nishioka and Michael Mmoh.
Fritz, meanwhile, has beaten Emilio Gomez and Adrian Mannarino, both in straight sets, to reach the semifinals. But his win over the Frenchman was not entirely comfortable, with Fritz needing to win a lengthy second-set tiebreak to wrap up the match in straight sets. He should expect to be tested again with McDonald having impressed so far at the ATP Delray Beach Open. But, ultimately, Fritz is the better player. Expect that to be reflected in the result.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
