We are down to four in Delray Beach! #1 Cameron Norrie, #2 Reilly Opelka, #4 Tommy Paul, and unseeded John Millman have outlasted an original field of 28 to make the semifinals in southern Florida. Norrie, Opelka, and Paul have all recently won tour-level titles, though the Australian Millman is looking for his first finals appearance since 2020. We are in store for two great semifinal matches including Cameron Norrie vs Tommy Paul. But who will advance?
ATP Delray Beach Semifinal Predictions
Reilly Opelka vs John Millman
Head-to-head: Millman leads 3-0
John Millman had a straight forward 6-4, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Grigor Dimitrov to reach his first tour-level semifinal since 2020. Reilly Opelka’s quarterfinal vicotry was not as straight forward. The big American lost his mind for a quick 10-minutes early in the third set as music on the grounds seemed to shake him up. The American crowd helped him recover and outlast Mannarino 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Millman has had the upper hand in this matchup largely due to the fact of his return percentage. The Australian always seems to find a way to block balls back over the net, forcing his opponent to hit that one extra shot. Opelka is the more talented player, it will be a question of his mental in this match. Both players are in great form, however, I do see the big-serving Opelka finding a way to overcome current world #91 John Millman.
Prediction: Opelka 7-6, 6-4
Cameron Norrie vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Norrie 1-1 Paul
#1 seed Cameron Norrie and #4 seed Tommy Paul will meet for the third time in the last 12 months with one player inching closer to a title. The previous two matches between them were three-set affairs that were split on outdoor hard courts. Thus, I am predicting another epic three-setter. Norrie fought off Sebastian Korda in a third-set tiebreak to reach the semifinals. Paul has dropped just six games in two matches during his path to this semifinal. Paul is 9-4 in his tour-level career against lefties partly because he does not mind getting in long rallies with his backhand. I expect a very physical match between these two consistent hitters. It will come down to who plays the big points better, and I slightly favor Paul who is playing in front of a lot of friends and family as he currently resides in southern Florida.
Prediction: Paul 7-5, 3-6, 7-6
