Top Things To Know
1) Korda vs Ruud, the Next Generation
Second seed Casper Ruud faces 2021 finalist Sebastian Korda in Friday's quarterfinals. They'll be supported from the stands by their fathers, both of whom played this event in the '90s but never faced each other here. Both sons have outperformed their fathers at this event. In the career head-to-head records between the families, the Ruuds lead 3-0. Can Sebastian end the Ruud stranglehold?
2) Rock-Steady DBO Trio
Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe are all into the quarterfinals. Starting this decade, at least one of these 28-year-olds has been in the Delray Beach Open quarterfinals every year. Fritz won the title in 2023 and 2024, defeating Paul in the final the latter year. They'll have a rematch in Friday's quarters. Tiafoe won the title in 2018 and faces 20-year-old American Learner Tien. The winners of those two quarterfinals will meet in the semis, guaranteeing an American in the final.
3) The Hulk vs. The Hong Kong Kid
When Flavio Cobolli saved seven match points to put Italy in the Davis Cup final last fall, he ripped open his shirt like The Hulk. So naturally he got The Hulk tattooed on his leg. The Hulk will need to be in fighting form versus qualifier Coleman Wong, who at 21 is already the highest ranked man ever from Hong Kong. He has won four straight matches including qualifying and is into his second quarterfinal on the ATP Tour of the year and of his career. He burst on the scene last year at the Miami Masters 1000 when he upset world No. 14 Ben Shelton.
4) Doubles Dominance
Frenchmen Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti have already won three doubles titles this season, including their last two tournaments, and are on a 9-match win streak. They face alternates Liam Draxl and Jody Maginley who got into the draw when another team withdrew and then won their first match. It was the first ATP Tour-level match and win for Maginley.
