MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 02: Tommy Paul of the United States plays a forehand in his first round match against Jannik Sinner of Italy during day five of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 02, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
2nd seed Tommy Paul begins his Delray Beach Open campaign against compatriot Denis Kudla in the second round of the 2023 Delray Beach Open.
The 2021 Stockholm Open champion began the season by playing in the Adelaide International 1. Paul registered a win against Christopher O’Connell in the round of 32 before losing to Jack Draper in the following round.
The 25-year-old produced a scintillating display in the Australian Open. He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal with wins against Jan-Lennard Struff, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jenson Brooksby, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Ben Shelton. Paul was eventually ousted by Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Paul will be playing his first match since the loss to Djokovic after receiving a bye into the second round of the Delray Beach Open.
The 30-year-old was a part of Team USA that won the inaugural United Cup in January. After the United Cup triumph, Kudla played in the Australian Open. He managed to progress to the main draw by winning three qualifying matches. In the first round of the main draw, Kudla got the better of Roman Safiullin but lost to Ugo Humbert in the following round. Kudla played the Dallas Open without much success as he was ousted by Jordan Thompson in the first round.
In the first round of the Delray Beach Open, Kudla avenged that loss. He came back from a set down to defeat Thompson 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 4-1 in favor of Denis Kudla. After losing four matches on the trot against Kudla, Paul notched up a win in their most recent encounter in the 2019 Citi Open in straight sets 6-0, 6-4.
Prediction: Tommy Paul to win in straight sets.
More Tennis news
Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates