Frances Tiafoe will take on fellow American Tommy Paul in the Delray Beach second round on Thursday. Another all-American showdown with a quarterfinal spot at stake pits Jack Sock against Steve Johnson.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Tommy Paul
It has been a tough start to the 2020 season for American Frances Tiafoe. He is way off his career high of No. 29 in the world from almost exactly a year ago, now sitting at 84th. Going into Delray Beach, he played 3 tour-level matches and lost in the first round each time. He has a few Challenger circuit wins this season, but his first round win this week over qualifier Emilio Gomez was his first this year.
Tommy Paul, conversely, had a great start to the year–with a semifinal showing in Adelaide in January. He sits at a career-high No. 70 in the world. The two young Americans have not yet met in a tour-level match, but Tiafoe has a couple of wins on the Futures and Challenger circuits.
Given current form, Paul has to be the favorite going into this second-round encounter but Tiafoe clearly knows how to beat his countryman.
Cheryl pick: Paul in 3
Ricky pick: Tiafoe in 3
[crowdsignal poll=10508325]
(WC) Jack Sock vs. Steve Johnson
Two years ago in February, Jack Sock was ranked No. 8 in the world. Since that time, the American has suffered a wild slide down the rankings. He failed to win a single match in 2019 (even on the Challenger circuit), so that coming into Delray Beach, where he was awarded a wild card, he had no ATP ranking (a ranking of 0 for the past 52 weeks). His win over Radu Albot in the first round is his first victory with rankings points attached since the Paris Masters in 2018.
Steve Johnson has actually earned himself a few rankings spots this year thanks to some success on the Challenger tour. He won the event in Bendigo prior to the Australian Open and posted a semifinal result in Newport Beach at the beginning of February.
Despite the fact that Sock holds a 4-2 record over Johnson, it’s not possible to pick him for any more wins until he truly rights the ship.
Cheryl pick: Johnson in 2
Ricky pick: Johnson in 2
[crowdsignal poll=10508334]
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