Previewing Delray Beach

No one is going to look at the Delray Beach draw and confuse it for a Masters tournament. (If anything it looks more like the draw from a really strong Challenger).  That said, despite the lack of top players there is plenty to look forward to.

Kevin Anderson is your top seed, and it wouldn't be surprising if he coasts into the finals.  Adrian Mannarino is his potential quarterfinal opponent, with Ivo Karlovic or Steve Johnson likely waiting in the semis.  Johnson better hope someone else takes out Anderson first, since he's quickly assuming the role against Anderson that Anderson plays against Berdych.  Unless Anderson is tired from his week in Memphis, he should be representing the top half in the finals.

The bottom half is more interesting, and contains a handful of Americans.  Querrey and Young, both semifinalists in Memphis, could play in the second round.  Tim Smyczek should get through the up and coming Kozlov in the first round (though this is a sentence you'll probably only see for another year or two).

Third seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov has a relatively easy path to the semis, but doesn't seem to be in good enough form to take advantage of it.  It's not clear who exactly he'll lose to, but it won't be surprising if he has an early exit.  The bottom quarter contains Victor Troicki, Bernard Tomic and John Isner, one of whom will likely make the finals. 

Based on recent form, look for Victor Troicki to come out of the bottom half.  Troicki has been playing well since returning from his suspension and has already won a 250 level tournament this year.  An Anderson vs. Troicki final could go either way, but Troicki gets the edge.  He should be fresher (Anderson is still playing in Memphis) and seems to be on a mission to make up for lost time.

Also of note, Malez Jaziri's elbow (or is it shoulder?) can rest easy as Dudi Sela is in the other half of the draw.