Could Fritz three-peat this year at Delray Beach Open?

Two-time defending champion Taylor Fritz defeated Yunchaokete Bu 7-6(4), 6-2 last night at the Delray Beach Open. Can Fritz three-peat this year? His confidence appears to be on the rise after last night's win.

Above: Fritz serves big at the DBO. Photo: Andrew Patron/ Delray Beach Open.

In a post match interview, Adam Ross of Florida Tennis asked Fritz about his clutch backhand stab volley that sealed the break of serve for Fritz over Bu for a 1-0 lead in the second set after winning the first set in a tiebreaker. “Yeah, I mean, that's a huge shot on a huge point. Obviously, I fumbled some break point chances in the first set, so I just really needed that break.” Fritz added, “And I feel like, once I got that break to just start out the second set, you know, I'm feeling pretty confident.”

It turns out that when you've won back-to-back singles titles at the DBO, you've earned your place on the Delray Beach Open Walk of Fame. Taylor Fritz was inducted on Thursday night after his second-round win. He'll be back Friday night for his quarterfinal match as he continues build his confidence to achieve a historic three-peat.

Above: The Baron family with two-time DBO champ Taylor Fritz. Photo: Andrew Patron/ Delray Beach Open.

Also earlier in the night session, it was a tight match but [4 seed] Matteo Arnaldi (Italy) defeated [WC] Learner Tien (USA) 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(1). Arnaldi said post match that he won despite not playing his best. “That's what I'm trying to do. Because last year, I lost some matches I don’t have to lose,” Arnaldi told Adam Ross of Florida Tennis.

Arnaldi added, “This is the kind of match that you want to win; to be able to play one more and then to be able to, maybe tomorrow [know] I'm going to play the best. I don't know. So, you know, that's the game. That’s trying to win these matches and try to be able to build on your best tennis.”

Above: Nakashima focuses on a perfect toss to take down Opelka. Photo: Andrew Patron/ Delray Beach Open.

Fan favorite Brandon Nakashima prevailed with a big three set win over Reilly Opelka, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. “I have special memories here”, Nakashima told Michele Yu during his post match on court interview. He added, “The fans here are amazing. I’m super happy to play in front of them!” 

But one American didn't fare so well in the day session. Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated American Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 5-7, 6-0. But we've got hope today for the USA. Third seed American Alex Michelsen gets a chance to avenge last week's loss to Brit Cameron Norrie in Dallas. 

Meanwhile, we caught some kids in the crowd clinging to their favorite magazine after stopping by the USTA Florida booth to pick up a copy. After all, you’re never too young to enjoy the latest issue of Florida Tennis!

Above: Young or old, this is the only magazine to guide you through the DBO. Photo: Osvaldo Godoy for Florida Tennis.

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.

Thursday's DBO Results

Singles Second Round

[1] Taylor Fritz (USA) def. Yunchaokete Bu (China) 7-6(4), 6-2

[4] Matteo Arnaldi (Italy) def. [WC] Learner Tien (USA) 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(1)

[6] Brandon Nakashima (USA) def. [WC] Reilly Opelka (USA) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2

[8] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain) def. [WC] Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 5-7, 6-0

Doubles Quarterfinals

Mackenzie McDonald (USA) / Alex Michelsen (USA) def. [4] N.Sriram Balaji (India) / Miguel Reyes-Varela (Mexico) 7-6(5), 6-4

Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) / Brandon Nakashima (USA) def. Rinky Hijikata (Australia) / Adam Walton (Australia) 4-6, 7-6(9), 10-6

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Written by Florida Tennis Editor Matt Pressman with contributions from Contributing Writer Adam Ross. Source: Delray Beach Open.