We are off to a fast start at ATP Delray Beach with four Round of 16 matches on Day 3. No. 1 seed Taylor Fritz takes the court against an in-form Nuno Borges. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Delray. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Delray Day 3 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-Head: Mannarino 2-2 Giron
No. 4 seed Adrian Mannarino is an ageless wonder. The 35-year-old Frenchman reached the second week of the Australian Open to start the year and is 6-2 in his last eight matches. Coincidently, one of those two losses came last week to Marcos Giron. The American thrashed Mannarino 6-1 6-3 en route to the Dallas final. Giron has been striking the ball brilliantly over the last two weeks and was able to easily counteract Mannarino’s quirky style of play. I expect the Frenchman to come out with more aggression in this match. That said, Giron is playing so well that I am going to back him to best Mannarino once again.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Matteo Arnaldi vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-Head: first meeting
22-year-old Italian Matteo Arnaldi continues to climb the ranks. He is the No. 6 seed at ATP Delray and picked up a solid three-set win in round one over Yoshihito Nishioka. Rinky Hijikata also picked up a three-set win over Liam Broady in the first round. Hijikata has played well over the last 12 months, but I struggle to see how he can pierce through Arnaldi’s game. The young Italian is playing with great confidence and should see a real chance to play his way into the weekend.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 2
Constant Lestienne vs Patrick Kypson
Head-to-Head: first meeting
24-year-old American Patrick Kypson received a wildcard into the main draw at ATP Delray. Kypson notched his third Challenger title earlier this month in Cleveland and is up to a career-high ranking of world No. 155. He opened his tournament with the best win of his career, a 6-4 7-6 hard-fought victory over Miomir Kecmanovic. Kypson now squares off against veteran Frenchman Constant Lestienne. Lestienne picked up a solid round-one win over Alexander Vukic and is seeking back-to-back tour wins for the first time since January 2023. This should be an entertaining battle, but I have to favor the American. With the backing of the home crowd and his confidence, Kypson should get it done in three.
Prediction: Kypson in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Taylor Fritz enters ATP Delray as the No. 1 seed looking to gain momentum ahead of the Sunshine Double. Fritz made a valiant run to the Australian Open quarterfinals and has vaulted himself back inside the top ten. Across the net, he squares off against another man who had a terrific run Down Under. Nuno Borges reached the second week in Melbourne, raising his ranking inside the world’s top 50 for the first time in his career. Borges is an elite grinder with solid strokes off both wings, but if the American continues to serve how he did at the start of the year, he should cruise.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
