The Delray Beach Open may be an ATP 250 event, but it will be overshadowed by the 500-point tournaments in Doha and Rio de Janeiro next week.
Delray’s field is one of the strongest ever, headlined by Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Learner Tien, and Sebastian Korda. Casper Ruud and Flavio Cobolli are the 2nd and 3rd seeds, respectively. Other established players include Valentin Vacherot and Brandon Nakashima, while undrafted players include Marin Cilic, Alex Michelsen, Gabriel Diallo, and defending champion Miomir Kecmanovic.
Fritz currently finds himself in the finals in Dallas and has been dealing with a number of physical issues this season, so his participation in Delray Beach may be a question mark. If he does emerge, the top team could deal with Ethan Quinn in the second round and Paul, Diallo, Eliot Spizzirri, or Corentin Moutet in the quarters. The top half of the bracket is also home to Tien, Tiafoe, and Kecmanovic.
The Cobolli-Nakashima section in the lower part of its draw is very weak. Cilic, a semifinalist in Dallas, may be able to take advantage. Ruud, Vacherot, and Korda should also fancy their chances of reaching the finals.
First round matches to watch include Vacherot vs. Michelsen, Nakashima vs. Cilic, Paul vs. Moutet, and Quinn vs. Rafael Jodar.
