One American still stands strong at the Delray Beach Open

As the Kansas City Chiefs learned, three-peats are rare in sports because they are difficult to accomplish. Now Taylor Fritz has experienced the same thing. Having won the Delray Beach Open the past two years, Fritz was upset in this year's quarterfinal by eighth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4), 7-6(5).

Davidovich Fokina overcame a late match injury, a rain delay, and a frantic comeback from Fritz to win 7-6(4)/7-6(5). Before heading into the locker room for post-match treatment, Davidovich Fokina spoke with Adam Ross of Florida Tennis about the mental strength it took to beat the #4 player in the world.

Above: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Photo credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open.

“Yeah, this year I'm performing very well [with my] mental skills and and I'm trying every match to keep that [winning] mindset,” explained Davidovich Fokina. “It was not [an] easy match. It’s always tough to close the match against one of the best players now in the world. And you know, I'm happy, very happy for the win today.”

So if Fritz lost, who's the one American who's still standing strong at the DBO? It turns out that Alex Michelsen was able to defeat a tough Cameron Norrie 7-6(3), 7-5 during the day session. In fact, Alex Michelsen has reached both the singles and doubles semifinals.

Above: Alex Michelsen. Photo credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open.

And due to ATP procedures, players must play singles before their doubles matches. Therefore, if you're coming today to the DBO, be sure to come earlier at 1pm to catch #3 Alex Michelsen (USA) vs #7 Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB). Immediately after that you catch an awesome all-American doubles showdown between Alex Michelsen (USA) & Mackenzie McDonald (USA) vs Christian Harrison (USA) & Evan King (USA).

Meanwhile, Miomir Kecmanovic knocked out another American, Marcos Giron 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. And that's not all. Matteo Arnaldi was victorious in straight sets over American Brandon Nakashima during the first match of the night session, 7-6(2)/6-4. 

Above: Matteo Arnaldi. Photo credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open.

Arnaldi spoke with Adam Ross of Florida Tennis about how he was able to overcome Nakashima. “It was a different match from yesterday [against Learner Tien], definitely. I think today was a little bit higher level. I played better than yesterday.” Arnaldi added, “I'm really proud of this tournament because I’m finding my best [tennis].”

Be sure to come out to the DBO today to catch the action! You can watch high-caliber, local players showcase their Wheelchair Tennis skills on the side courts of the Delray Beach Open too. USTA Florida will be providing extra wheelchairs where fans can experience the difference between tennis standing and tennis on wheels. 

Above: Miomir Kecmanovic. Photo credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open.

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.

Friday's DBO Results

Singles Quarterfinals

[8] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain) def. [1] Taylor Fritz (USA) 7-6(4), 7-6(5)

[3] Alex Michelsen (USA) def. Cameron Norrie (Great Britain) 7-6(3), 7-5

[4] Matteo Arnaldi (Italy) def. [6] Brandon Nakashima (USA) 7-6(2), 6-4

[7] Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) def. [5] Marcos Giron (USA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Quarterfinals

Robert Cash (USA) / JJ Tracy (USA) def. Nicolas Barrientos (Colombia) / Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli (India) 7-6(4), 4-6, 10-2

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