Champion Taylor Fritz defends his Delray Beach Open title

The Delray Beach Open was pushed from Sunday to Monday due to rain but that didn't keep the fans away. A sun-soaked stadium was packed to see two Americans face off for the 2024 Delray Beach Open title.

Last year, Taylor Fritz was DBO champion and this year he had his work cut out for him against a tough Tommy Paul who just won the Dallas Open. And although it was sunny, wind played a key factor in the match.

Above: Taylor Fritz is locked in. Photo: Andrew Patron /  Delray Beach Open.

"I tried to serve as best I could, which got me out of some trouble. I started to find it at the end. But it's incredibly tough to play, do what you want to do when it's windy like this," explained Fritz. Regardless, Fritz got the win in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

Fritz's big serve came in handy when he was facing a slew of break points against a tenacious Tommy Paul. "He won the break points and I didn't win the break points. That was pretty much the difference," Paul said. 

Above: Tommy Paul rips a forehand. Photo: Andrew Patron /  Delray Beach Open.

At 3-3 in the second set, Paul toiled away for more than 15 minutes trying to secure a break. But Fritz prevailed in such a pivotal moment in the match and was able to save seven break points. 

Earlier this week, Florida Tennis sat down with Taylor Fritz and asked why he's able to consistently elevate his game when it counts. Fritz acknowledged, "I feel like I have a good thought process on those points. I know what shots I want to do. I know what my opponent is maybe thinking I'm going to do. And I know what my opponents are trying to do."

From left to right: Runner-up Tommy Paul alongside defending champ Taylor Fritz. Photo: Andrew Patron /  Delray Beach Open.

When it was time to level up, Fritz was rock solid from the baseline. In contrast, Paul appeared a bit more streaky during those big points. "I think I came out with maybe a little too much energy inside," said Paul.

In the end, Fritz became the second player ever to win back-to-back championships in the 32 year history of the Delray Beach Open. This DBO will be Fritz's seventh career ATP Tour title.

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Written by Florida Tennis' Executive Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Top photo: Andrew Patron /  Delray Beach Open.