The strongest field in Delray Beach Open history gets a jump-start under the lights on Feb. 16 when Frances Tiafoe goes against qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the first round.
Normally at this ATP event that awards the winner 250 tour points, the big names start later in the week with four first-round byes. But this event has too much punch.
Tiafoe, the popular American who lives in Boca Raton, is actually the 7th seed - ranked 28th. This marks the first time in tournament history eight players in the top 30 are in Delray Beach. This is the tournament’s 34th year.
The top seed is Taylor Fritz, the Miami resident who will make his fourth straight Delray Beach Open appearance. The top-ranked American won it all in 2023 and 2024.
Fritz, who has been the highest-ranked American at No. 8, is coming off losing in the finals in Dallas last weekend to fellow American Ben Shelton after losing three match points. Fritz and Shelton are the two highest-ranked American men.
Casper Ruud making Delray Beach Open debut
This also marks the first appearance in Delray Beach for Casper Ruud, who has won 13 ATP titles and is ranked 13th. He opens Feb. 18 against the winner of Marcos Giron-Sho Shimabukuro (qualifier) match.
The other players in the top 30 are Italy’s Flavio Cobolli (20), rising American Learner Tien (23), Boca Raton’s Tommy Paul (24), Valentin Vacherot (26) and Brandon Nakashima. (29). There was another top-30 player in the draw, Cameron Norrie, but he recently withdrew.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach Open first: 8 players are ranked in ATP top 30