Tommy Paul is set to experience the excitement of a night session for his opening match at the Delray Beach ATP 250 on Friday, where he will face Corentin Moutet. The tournament schedule also features an interesting matchup between Brandon Nakashima and Marin Cilic.
Paul has demonstrated resilience as he rebounds from an injury-ridden season in 2025, currently ranked 24th in the world. This year, he has already secured seven wins, including a strong semifinal performance in Adelaide and reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, where he fell to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. His history at Delray Beach is notable; he finished as runner-up to Taylor Fritz in 2024 and made it to the quarterfinals in his previous three appearances.
In a rematch from their previous encounter at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Paul won 7-6(5), 6-3, he faces Moutet, who has had a subdued season with only one appearance at the Australian Open, where he lost to Alcaraz in the third round. Despite Moutet’s unique playing style, Paul is expected to perform strongly against the Frenchman.
On the other side of the draw, Brandon Nakashima will compete against Marin Cilic for the second time, following their previous meeting two years ago in the hangzhou semifinals, which Cilic won. At 37, the 2014 U.S. Open champion continues to showcase his skills, marked by a solid start to the season with a 6-3 record and a semifinal finish in Dallas. Meanwhile, Nakashima reached the final in Brisbane but has struggled with a 1-3 record in his last four matches. As they face off, Cilic is likely to leverage his experience and confidence, making for an exhilarating contest between these two strong servers.
As the Delray Beach tournament unfolds, fans can expect high-caliber tennis action showcasing the resilience of talented players like Paul and Cilic, who are eager to solidify their standings in the ATP rankings. The matchups promise to deliver thrilling moments and showcase the growth and determination of players on the comeback trail.