James Duckworth vs Taro Daniel Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Delray Beach Open

Prediction published on 12/02/2024, 02:03  by Daniel Ngulu in Tennis Predictions

Unseeded James Duckworth and Taro Daniel will meet in the first round of the 2024 Delray Beach Open. Duckworth was forced to retire in his last match and will be hoping to have fully recovered for this fixture. That was in the quarterfinals in Dallas. The Australian is having a strong start to the year and so far has won nine matches in 13 outings. He has made at least the quarterfinals in three of the four tournaments he has participated in. His best finish stands to be his run to the semifinals in the Cleveland Challenger. With this form, coupled with his dominance in this fixture, the 32-year-old will be confident of a winning start. Duckworth has won both times he has faced off with Daniel though their last encounter was four seasons ago. His strong start to the year has allowed him to get back into the ATP top 100. He is currently ranked 97th in the live ranking.

Taro Daniel has dropped one place in the live ranking and starts the week as the 63rd-best player in the ATP. The Japanese was also competing in Dallas in his last outing and lost in the second round to eventual champion Tommy Paul. Daniel has also had a strong start to the year and has compiled a 7-4 record so far. Six of his wins have come on hard court and so too have the majority of his defeats. The highlight of his season came in Auckland where he secured a runner-up finish. This was only his second appearance at a tour final and came six years after his first. The 31-year-old is arriving for this third appearance in Delray hoping to win his first-ever match in the event. Daniel has lost in the first round both times he has featured here with his most recent appearance being last season. The winner here will then set up a second-round showdown with either Max Purcell or a yet-to-be-determined qualifier.