A resurgent Reily Opelka improved to 8-3 for the season with a tight straight-sets win over compatriot Chrsitopher Eubanks.
2025 ATP Tour
ATP 250
Delray Beach Open
Delray Beach Tennis Centre, Delray Beach, Florida (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 13th-14th February
13th February
Reily Opelka (73/100) vs Brandon Nakashima (6) (21/20)
A resurgent Reily Opelka improved to 8-3 for the season with a tight straight-sets win over compatriot Chrsitopher Eubanks. It was a textbook Opelka performance: he won 81% of his first-serve points and hammered down 13 aces. The Florida resident is a beloved figure in these parts, winning the title in 2020 before a runner-up finish in 2022. I have been extremely impressed with the way Opelka started this year. He returned to the tour in July last year after an 8-month injury hiatus. But he started this year in unbelievable fashion, reaching his first final in three years in Brisbane (beating idol Novak Djokovic in the process). He did suffer a bit of a scare in that Brisbane final, withdrawing due to painful back spasms. He reached the quarterfinals in Dallas and will be looking to match that run with victory over the industrious Brandon Nakashima (which would make it three quarterfinals in four events played this year).
Brandon Nakashima has struggled to get up to speed this year, coming into this event with a woeful 1-4 record for the season. But the 6th seed took advantage of a favourable draw in his Delray Beach opener, defeating Japanese James Kent Trotter in straight sets. He may not be Opelka, but he served superbly in his opener, clocking five aces and winning 87% of his first-serve points. Nakashima will be looking for a positive week as he looks to recapture the form that propelled him to a career-best ranking of 35 last year. Nakashima reached two semifinals last season (at the BOSS and Hangzhou Opens). But he was probably most impressive during the North American hardcourt campaign, where he followed back-to-back round of 16 finishes in Montreal and Cincinnati with an excellent 4th round run at the US Open (his joint-best performance at a slam).
The Verdict: Opelka to win in straight sets at 37/20- Opelka leads the head-to-head 1-0, conquering Nakashima in straight sets at the 2022 Sydney Tennis Classic. Opelka is the form player of the two and must be a huge favourite to win here. He has enjoyed excellent success here and should be able to ride that megawatt to serve to victory.
14th February
Matteo Arnaldi (4) (91/100) vs Learner Tien (87/100)
4th seeded Matteo Arnaldi has had a topsy-turvy start to his 2025 season, bringing a 3-3 record into this event. He looked quite solid in Dallas last week, winning his first two matches in straight sets
before a gruelling three-set quarterfinal defeat to Munar. The 23-year-old Italian enjoyed some eye-catching results in 2024, reaching the 4th round at the French Open and the 3rd round at Flushing Meadows. But he truly defied expectations in Montreal, reaching the semifinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career! Remember, this is a player who is yet to reach and ATP Final. The counterpuncher picked up some notable wins against top ten players last year, beating Fritz in Acapulco and Rublev at Roland Garros. Arnaldi is an astute counterpuncher, creating plenty of topspin off that forehand wing.
There always seems to be one breakthrough success story at the Aussie Open (think Ben Shelton in 2023 and Arthur Cazaux last year). This year marked the turn of American teenager Learner Tien (who did show potential with a runner-up finish at last year’s NextGen Finals). The 19-year-old lefty rose to a career-best 81st with a herculean 4th round run in Melbourne (which was even more impressive considering he came through qualifying). Tien produced one incredible statement win, taking down two-time Aussie Open finalist Daniil Medvedev in a five-set marathon (he almost blew a two-set lead against the volatile Russian). Lien looked impressive in his first appearance since Melbourne, seeing off Adam Walton 6-4, 6-3. Lien possesses remarkably composed footwork for someone his age (which was crucial in him becoming the youngest man to reach the 4th round in Melbourne since Rafa Nadal in 2005). He uses his swinging lefty serve cleverly and loves throwing in delicate drop-shots.
The Verdict: Tien to win in straight sets at 19/10- This will be their first career meeting. I just think that Tien makes more sense right now. Tien has now won six of his last seven matches (if you include Aussie Open qualifying). Arnaldi hasn’t looked convincing this year. Also, his reliance on heavy topspin could give Tien an edge on these surfaces.
