Delray Beach Open 2023 Day 6: Men's Singles Predictions ft. Miomir Kecmanovic vs Radu Albot, Taylor Fritz vs Mackenzie McDonald
The sixth day of main draw action at the 2023 Delray Beach Open on Saturday (February 18) will feature both semifinals.
On Friday, the four quarterfinals were completed. Miomir Kecmanovic beat home favourite Marcos Giron in straight sets in the first last-eight clash to reach his first semifinal of the season.
The second quarterfinal saw 2019 winner Radu Albot upset second seed Tommy Paul in straight sets. Paul had reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open last month (lost to Novak Djokovic) but came a cropper against Albot.
In an all-American third quarterfinal, Mackenzie McDonald recovered from a set down to beat his compatriot Michael Mmoh. The final last-eight clash saw top seed Taylor Fritz beat Adrian Mannarino to complete the semifinal lineup.
On that note, here's a look at how the two semifinals at the Delray Beach Open on Saturday could pan out:
#1 Miomir Kecmanovic vs Radu Albot
Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia will take on former winner Radu Albot in an all-unseeded first semifinal at the 2023 Delray Beach Open.
Kecmanovic, ranked 33rd in the world, has registered back-to-back wins this week to improve to 6-4 on the season. The 23-year-old was coming off first-round exits at the Australian Open in January and Dallas last week and is yet to drop a set this week.
Meanwhile, World No. 113 Albot is also having a fine campaign in Delray Beach. The 2019 winner saw off Fernando Verdasco and Aleksandar Vukic before taking out Tommy Paul -- all without dropping a set. In the process, the 33-year-old improved to 4-2 in 2023.
Epic effort, @RaduAlbot 💪
The 2019 champion flies by Tommy Paul 6-2 6-2!
@DelrayBeachOpen | #DBOpen https://t.co/ZuaeISebpp
The two players have never met before, but expect Albot to take this one as he eyes a return to the final.
Prediction: Albot in three sets
#2 Taylor Fritz vs Mackenzie McDonald
Top seed Taylor Fritz will take on his compatriot Mackenzie McDonald in an all-American second semifinal on Saturday.
The seventh-ranked Fritz improved to 9-3 on the season by outlasting Mannarino in the fourth quarterfinal. The 25-year-old American is coming off a semifinal run in Dallas last week (lost to eventual winner Yibing Wu).
Meanwhile, World No. 56 McDonald is now 9-3 on the season after three wins this week. He made the Dallas second round last week and the Australian Open third round in January.
Saturday’s OP 👇 https://t.co/4b0elVnKGx
The 27-year-old McDonald won his lone meeting with his younger compatriot in the Delray Beach first round four years ago, but expect Fritz to emerge victorious this time.
Prediction: Fritz in straight sets