The action will continue on Day 3 of the ATP Delray Beach Open. Rising star Alex Michelsen is among the players scheduled to compete in Florida. We at LWOT predict all five matches set for Day 3 in this article, but which players do you expect to triumph at the ATP 250 tournament?
ATP Delray Beach Day 3 Predictions
Learner Tien vs Adam Walton
Head-to-head: Walton 1-0 Tien
This matchup is the remaining round of 32 match to be played. It will also be Tien’s first appearance since his superb and unexpected run to the fourth round at the Australian Open. He probably cannot afford any rust against Walton, who won a Challenger Tour event in Brisbane a few days ago. However, adjusting so quickly to a tournament played on the other side of the world might be challenging for Walton and give Tien the edge.
Prediction: Tien in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 3-2 Nishioka
Nishioka’s hard-court achievements are greater than Kecmanovic’s, but he has not found this matchup easy. The Serbian does not mind hanging in the rallies and starving Nishioka of the pace he likes to redirect. That has often left the Japanese player unsure when to be aggressive. I like Kecmanovic’s chances of disrupting Nishioka again in the conditions at ATP Delray Beach.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Arthur Rinderknech vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Norrie 2-0 Rinderknech
Norrie has not had an easy last 12 months because of form and injury issues. Yet, the Briton has shown positive signs in his matches since the Australian Open, including beating Alex Michelsen and losing narrowly to Reilly Opelka. Norrie has been able to grind Rinderknech down in their previous meetings. Expect him to do the same again to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
Marcos Giron vs Ethan Quinn
Head-to-head: First meeting
Giron usually plays his best tennis in home American conditions. Nonetheless, he needs to be careful against Quinn, who has won three matches since qualifying, to set up this meeting. But none of those matches were against players in Giron’s class on American hard courts. Last year’s Dallas Open runner-up to prevail in straight sets.
Prediction: Giron in 2
Alex Michelsen vs Michael Mmoh
Head-to-head: First meeting
Beating Michelsen would be very challenging for Mmoh regardless, but this is also a particularly bad matchup for him. The older of the two Americans thrives most when he gets into rallies and can use his athleticism to his advantage. Michelsen’s huge serve and willingness to take risks on second-serve returns will make it hard to implement that style. The 20-year-old’s firepower should be enough to prevail.
Prediction: Michelsen in 2
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK
