Delray Beach SF previews and predictions: Humbert vs. Nishioka, Raonic vs. Opelka

It’s the clash of the big servers as Milos Raonic faces Reilly Opelka with a spot in the Delray Beach final on the line on Saturday. The other semifinal features Frenchman Ugo Humbert and Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan.

(2) Milos Raonic vs. (4) Reilly Opelka

American Reilly Opelka has had a rough start to the 2020 season. Coming into Delray Beach, he had won a single match in three tournaments – and especially disappointing result for him, as he was the defending champion at the New York Open and he was ousted in the quarters (after a first-round bye). This week he had some good wins, including a real first-round battle against talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Milos Raonic showed hints of his old self in Melbourne. He made his way all the way to the quarterfinals before being dispatched by eventual champion Novak Djokovic. The Canadian hasn’t exactly faced stiff competition this week, but he’s still well positioned to make his first final of the year.

Ordinarily, this matchup would have three tiebreaks written all over it, given both men’s serving prowess. However, their last meeting–at Wimbledon–featured a Raonic win with two strangely lopsided sets and Opelka has made a habit recently of serving somewhat inconsistently.

Cheryl pick: Raonic in 3

Ricky pick: Raonic in 2

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Ugo Humbert vs. Yoshihito Nishioka

Ugo Humbert is tearing it up already this season. The Frenchman won the Auckland event over countryman Benoit Paire and he now has a good chance at another title in Delray Beach. He dispatched Stefan Kozlov, Miomir Kecmanovic, and Frances Tiafoe to earn his semifinal spot.

Yoshihito Nishioka has had a respectable start to the season, though it hasn’t been as impressive as his opponent’s. The Japanese lefty still sometimes dabbles on the Challenger circuit, but his ranking is high enough at No. 63 in the world to gain direct entrance into most tour-level events.

Given Humbert’s form, the edge in this one goes to the Frenchman.

Cheryl pick: Humbert in 2

Ricky pick: Humbert in 2

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