Americans prevail at the Delray Beach Open
Feb 13, 2025
If you love American tennis, the Delray Beach Open is delivering the goods this year. Nine Americans have reached the second round, tying the record accomplished only three other times in the 33-year history of the tournament - 2022, 2020 and 1993.
With three second-round matches featuring Americans against each other, it's still possible to tie the record for Americans in the quarterfinals with six, which happened in 2008 and 1993. And it turns out last night was an all-American affair at the DBO.
Third seed Alex Michelsen defeated qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-7(8), 3-0 — Mmoh retired with a left hamstring injury. Florida Tennis asked Michelsen how important his precision volleying was against Mmoh. Michelsen said, “I was volleying really well. I think the doubles I've been playing is helping. I was with the Bryan Brothers at Davis Cup as well. So I think you know all that, all that's helping. And I think I only missed one volley tonight. I went to the net a good bit. So pretty happy with my performance.”
Instagram: Florida Tennis
Fifth seed Marcos Giron defeated qualifier (and lucky loser) Ethan Quinn 6-3, 6-4. Florida Tennis asked Giron to discuss how solidly he played through the contest. Giron said, “I thought I played a phenomenal match. I'm really happy with how I played there. He [Quinn] raised his level. I think I served better, maybe hit a little better targets.” He added, “And yeah, in this sport, and I think in sports in general, the margins are small, and I was able to elevate there in the end, which I'm really happy about."
One other highlight last night: a big congratulations to Lynne Salus on her retirement from the USTA Florida after decades of incredible service to all! See the photo below where she's on DBO's center court at the ceremony celebrating her career. Lynne, center, is flanked by Laura Bowen, Executive Director of the USTA Florida and Chuck Gill, President. We wish Lynne great success on the next chapter of her life!
Photo: Florida Tennis
The DBO day session had featured non-Americans on center court. Cameron Norrie (Great Britain) defeated ninth seed Arthur Rinderknech (France) 7-6(9), 6-2. Meanwhile, seventh seed Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) moved ahead after Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) couldn't play due to a left shoulder injury. On court 1, Learner Tien (USA) defeated Adam Walton (Australia) 6-4, 6-3.
Meanwhile what's coming at tonight's DBO? World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, the two-time defending champion in Delray Beach, will try to do what the Kansas City Chiefs couldn't: three-peat. No one has ever won this tournament three times, much less consecutively. In the Open Era of tennis (since 1968) only 34 men have won at least one specific tournament three straight times. Fritz would be the first American man born after 1990 to accomplish the feat.
YouTube: Florida Tennis
Taking some time from his busy practice schedule this week, Taylor Fritz stopped by the Delray Beach Open and sat down with a group of journalists (including Florida Tennis) to discuss his ever-improving tennis game and chances of executing the "three-peat" at the Delray Beach Open. Check out what he had to say (see video above).
We also caught up with Dan DeBruyne, Supervisor at Veltri Racquet Center, at the DBO last night checking out some amazing tennis and reading (with his guest) a really cool magazine! A key destination on the Florida Tennis Trail, Veltri Racquet Center, is home to the Orange Bowl, USTA National Girls 14s tournament, ITF tournaments and many other major events on the tennis calendar.
Photo: Florida Tennis
Check out today's DBO schedule here. For more reporting on the Delray Beach Open, be sure to check out additional content from Florida Tennis contributor Adam Ross on Facebook along with Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy and Entertainment Director DJ Mad Linx on Instagram.
Wednesday's DBO Results
First Round (Singles)
[WC] Learner Tien (USA) def. Adam Walton (Australia) 6-4, 6-3
Second Round (Singles)
[3] Alex Michelsen (USA) def. [Q] Michael Mmoh (USA) 6-7(8), 3-0, retired (left hamstring)
[5] Marcos Giron (USA) def. [LL] Ethan Quinn (USA) 6-3, 6-4
[7] Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) def. Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) walkover (left shoulder)
Cameron Norrie (Great Britain) def. [9] Arthur Rinderknech (France) 7-6(9), 6-2
Doubles First Round
Rinky Hijikata (Australia) / Adam Walton (Australia) def. [1] Jackson Withrow (USA) / Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) 6-4, 5-7, 10-7
[2] Ariel Behar (Uruguay) / Robert Galloway (USA) def. George Goldhoff (USA) / Trey Hilderbrand (USA) 6-2, 6-4
Nicolas Barrientos (Colombia) / Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli (India) def. Fernando Romboli (Brazil) / Marcelo Zormann (Brazil) 7-6(4), 7-6(5)
Christian Harrison (USA) / Evan King (USA) def. [Alt] Hans Hach Verdugo (Mexico) / James Trotter (Japan) 3-6, 6-1, 10-4
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Written by Florida Tennis Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Top photo credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open.