An All-American final is guaranteed for only the fourth time in the 31-year history of the ATP Delray Beach Open. The defending champion is still in the mix as is the man who lifted the title in 2018 champion. As always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for both semifinals, but who will make it to the final?
ATP Delray Beach Semifinal Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Frances Tiafoe
Head–to–Head: Tiafoe 3-2 Paul
Tommy Paul has gone on a six-match winning streak since being bageled in the final set of his third-round match against Miomir Kecmanovic in Melbourne, securing his second ATP title in Dallas in the process. He has improved with every match here after struggling in the first-round contest against compatriot Alex Michelsen and is on the brink of winning his second title in as many weeks but he has to pass this stern tie against Frances Tiafoe who is ranked just below him.
Tiafoe required two tiebreakers to despatch former champion Radu Albot before clinically dispatching Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to secure his first consecutive wins since the US Open. Tommy Paul is the American playing better now and he waved off any fatigue concerns in the quarter-final with an emphatic win over Jordan Thompson. Tiafoe has been struggling for months and he’s pretty much had an easier route in Delray. Paul should be quietly confident he will win this and even their head to head.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Marcos Giron
Head–to–Head: Fritz 6 vs 1 Giron
Defending champion, Taylor Fritz is yet to drop a set in familiar surroundings and he is two wins away from defending his title. His head to head against his compatriot should give him a lot of confidence, but Marcos Giron is in blistering form at the moment – his only loss in eight matches came in the final in against Paul.
That said, as well as Giron has been playing, you have to wonder how much he has left in the tank given the amount of tennis he has played over the last fortnight or so. Fritz is the fresher of the two players and he should have enough to get past his compatriot and guarantee himself a shot at consecutive titles at the ATP Delray Beach Open.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
