The warm Florida weather continues on Friday at the ATP Delray Beach Open, with quarterfinal action soon to be underway. Despite multiple upsets, the top three seeds of the tournament still remain, including Americans Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul. In addition, unseeded Americans Marcos Giron and Patrick Kypson clash for an elusive spot at a semifinal. Who will prevail?
ATP Delray Beach Quarterfinal Predictions
Jordan Thompson vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Thompson 1-0
Thompson won the pair’s only meeting, but it came during a qualifying match in the summer of 2019. Despite Paul’s higher ranking, Thompson has certainly looked the better of the two this week. With the Aussie having one extra match to his name as the non-seeded player, he took out Daniel Evans 7-5 6-0 in the first round, before cruising past Nicolas Moreno De Alboran 6-2 6-2. On the other hand, Paul had to battle through a third-set tiebreak to win against Alex Michelsen in the second round. With Paul now playing his sixth match in just over a week after winning the ATP 250 event in Dallas, he may be running out of steam. The Aussie is looking to reach his sixth ever ATP tour-level semifinal, and I believe he’ll pull off the upset.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Flavio Cobolli vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: First meeting
In a matchup pitting together former Delray Beach champions, Tiafoe took out Radu Albot 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4) in the second round. Tiafoe now has a tough turnaround, having to play the day session match Friday after completing a Thursday night session match at around 11 p.m. Cobolli reached this stage as a lucky loser, compiling a 10-3 record this season including qualifying. The American will have to recover fast and stay strong mentally, especially as Cobolli has nothing to lose here. In the end, look for Tiafoe to win this one in a close battle.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Marcos Giron vs Patrick Kypson
Head-to-head: First meeting
Giron has been on a tear this week, especially coming off a breakthrough week in Dallas, where he made his second ATP tour-level final. After taking out the fourth-seed Adrian Mannarino 6-0 6-7 (5) 6-1, he’ll be the higher ranked player against his opponent Patrick Kypson. Kypson, a wildcard local to Florida, claimed his first Top 50 career win over Miomir Kecmanovic en route to this stage. The World No. 155 will have to maintain his high level of play, but Giron seems to be playing with too much confidence right now. Similar to Paul, Giron will have to concentrate on his stamina given the high number of matches he’s played as of late.
Prediction: Giron in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: First meeting
Defending champion Taylor Fritz won an exciting second round encounter against Nuno Borges on Wednesday, winning 7-6 (5) 6-4. The match, featuring a behind-the-back shot, was a great way for Fritz to backup a solid quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Hijikata continues to rise up the rankings in 2024, and he’s battled through two three-set matches this week. The Aussie’s last match also came against the eighth-seed Matteo Arnaldi, his second Top 50 win. Similar to Fritz’s first match, the American should win in two close sets.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
