Delray Beach Open 2024: Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Fixture: (1) Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges
Date: February 14, 2024
Tournament: Dallas Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Beach, US
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $661,585
Live telecast: United States - Tennis Channel | United Kingdom - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges preview
Defending champion Taylor Fritz will square off against Nuno Borges in the second round of the 2024 Delray Beach Open.
Fritz was part of the US contingent at the United Cup, where they were the defending champions. While he won his singles tie against Cameron Norrie 7-6 (5), 6-4, he lost to Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-2. His compatriots didn't fare any better and the American team failed to make it past the group stage this time.
Fritz then competed at the Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals for the first time. He scored wins over Facundo Diaz Acosta, Hugo Gaston, Fabian Marozsan, and last year's runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the stage. He then lost to World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Fritz next played just a lone singles rubber during the Davis Cup qualifiers. He easily defeated Vladyslav Orlov in straight sets as the United States moved on to the next round. As the top seed at the Delray Beach Open, he received a first-round bye.
Borges was initially drawn against Dominik Koepfer in his opener here but faced Gabriel Diallo instead after the German's withdrawal. The Portuguese landed the first blow in the opening set to go 2-0 up but was unable to hold on to the early lead.
Borges regained the upper hand towards the end once again as he bagged three games in a row to take the set. The second set was a close affair and he even saved a set point on his own serve at 6-5. The 26-year-old outplayed Diallo in the ensuing tie-break to win the match 6-4, 7-6 (1).
Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Taylor Fritz vs Nuno Borges prediction
Borges' star is on the rise following his run at the Australian Open, where he made it to the fourth round of a Major for the first time. He even stunned the in-form Grigor Dimitrov in the third round, after which Daniil Medvedev showed him the door.
Borges played at a pretty decent level to oust Diallo and start his Delray Beach Open campaign with a win. Fritz has been in good form too this year and will aim to begin his title defense with a win.
Fritz will be the heavy favorite as Borges is 0-5 versus top-10 opposition so far and has won just one set in his five losses to them. The American may need some time to adjust to the conditions since it'll be his first match here, but it'll be difficult to stop him once he finds his footing.
Pick: Taylor Fritz to win in straight sets.