Top seed Nick Kyrgios will take on good friend Tommy Paul in his Delray Beach opener on Tuesday. Reilly Opelka face dangerous qualifier Ernests Gulbis, a former champion of this event.
(1) Nick Kyrgios vs. Tommy Paul
World No. 21 Nick Kyrgios started off his 2020 season with comparative success. The mercurial Aussie helped nudge team Australia to the semifinals of the ATP Cup. At the Australian Open, he managed to set up a tantalizing fourth-round match against Rafael Nadal. The two men, who have openly disliked each other in the past, were surprisingly cordial as Kyrgios was sent packing in four tight sets.
Kyrgios will take on his good friend Tommy Paul, who is enjoying the best season of his young career so far. The American came up through qualies in Adelaide, and he battled his way all the way to the semifinals before going out to Lloyd Harris of South Africa. He also managed to pocket a couple of match wins at the Aussie Open. Paul currently sits at a career high No. 70.
This match will be on Kyrgios’s racket–which is true most of the time. The Australian has all the firepower he needs to dispatch Paul. Whether he does so or not will depend on his mood–and whether long time nemesis Fergus Murphy is in the umpire’s chair or not.
Cheryl pick: Kyrgios in 2
Ricky pick: Kyrgios in 3
[crowdsignal poll=10507602]
(4) Reilly Opelka vs. (Q) Ernests Gulbis
Ever a tennis enigma, Ernests Gulbis will take on the towering American Reilly Opelka in the Delray Beach first round. The Latvian was once ranked No. 10 in the world. His stint in the top 20 lasted about a year, after which he careened out of the top 50, then the top 100. He is currently ranked No. 224.
Gulbis has a reputation as a great talent who rather notably underachieved for most of his career. On Tuesday, he will take on the big-serving American. Although Opelka is the No. 4 seed, he has had a completely miserable start to the season. Delray will be his fourth tournament; he has won a single match so far.
This is an excellent opportunity for Gulbis to get his teeth in the main draw of a tournament. Opelka, whose serve has not been buying him out of trouble lately, is vulnerable and he’s ripe for an upset. There is always the possibility that Gulbis will underperform even against a slumping opponent, but the qualifier should be positioned for the win.
Cheryl pick: Gulbis in 2
Ricky pick: Opelka in 3
[crowdsignal poll=10507544]
WWW?
Kyrgios in 2, Gulbis in 3, although it could equally well be any other combination of final scores.
I don’t think Nadal and Kyrgios actually dislike each other. Rafa certainly disapproves of Nick’s lack of effort and tantrums and bitterly resented having to play him in his first match in Acapulco last year while NK envies Rafa’s many virtues, of which he has a conspicuous lack. However, both showed admirable restraint at the AO, resisting all of the media’s effort to fan the flames. We’ll see if Nick’s “reformation” lasts now that he’s out of Australia.
Gulbis is an equally curious case. I’ve no idea what went wrong there. Maybe he’s happy playing on the Challenger tour. I expect his family still supports him so not too bad a life for the dependently wealthy.
Nick in 2; Gulbis (I guess????) in 3.
Well, Curious pulled out before his first match…
Wrist injury. Basketball is a dangerous game. Just sayin’