Top Things To Know for Thursday, Feb. 15
1) Seeds Tiafoe, Paul Make Their 2024 DBO Debuts
Second seed Frances Tiafoe and third seed Tommy Paul play their opening matches Thursday. Tiafoe, world-ranked No. 15, faces a qualifier in the night session, but this qualifier is the 2019 Delray Beach Open champion Radu Albot, the oldest man in the draw at age 34.Paul, ranked No. 14, faces the youngest man in the Top 100, 19-year-old Alex Michelsen, in the day session.
2) Workin' Hard for the Money
American qualifier Nicolas Moreno De Alboran has spent more time on court than any other player thus far in the tournament at 6 hours, 52 minutes. He won two three-setters in qualifying, including one that featured three consecutive tiebreak sets, then earned his career-first ATP Tour-level win 6-2, 7-6. By contrast, his opponent on Thursday, Jordan Thompson, has spent 2:41 on court, which includes one singles and one doubles match. Then again, while Moreno De Alboran was winning qualifying matches last weekend, Thompson was winning the doubles title in Dallas.
3) Grand Slam Doubles Champions On Display
Both doubles matches on Thursday feature at least one Grand Slam champion. Reigning Wimbledon doubles champion and two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Neal Skupski and his partner Santiago Gonzalez are the top seeds, and they face 2023 Australian Open doubles champion Rinky Hijikata and his partner Will Blumberg. While not a Grand Slam champion, Blumberg holds another distinction - playing for North Carolina, he is the first 10-time All-American (5 singles, 5 doubles) due to the fifth year of eligibility granted during the pandemic. In the other doubles match, last month's Australian Open mixed doubles winner Jan Zielinski and partner Hugo Nys are the second seeds.
4) USTA Wheelchair Showcase
USTA Florida is excited to present the Wheelchair Showcase featuring eight South Florida wheelchair tennis athletes performing common wheelchair tennis drills. The event will culminate with some singles and doubles action. Court 1 from 6-7:30 pm.
Wednesday's Matches of the Day
American wild card Patrick Kypson, who won his first ATP Tour-level match on Monday, is now into his first ATP Tour quarterfinal after defeating Constant Lestienne in straight sets. He is also on a seven-match win streak, having won five Challenger Tour matches en route to the title in Cleveland before heading to Delray Beach. Later on Wednesday, Marcos Giron continued his strong play after reaching the final in Dallas last week by upsetting fourth seed and No. 19 ranked Adrian Mannarino. Kypson and Giron will meet in the quarterfinals on Friday.
