Delray Beach Open: Wolf vs Ivashka Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Delray Beach Open as J.J. Wolf takes on Ilya Ivashka in the first round on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Will J.J. Wolf keep up this fantastic start to his season at the Delray Beach Open? Or will Ilya Ivashka rediscover that winning touch at the Delray Beach Open? This should be a very intriguing battle, but who will prevail?

J.J. Wolf continues his climb on the ATP rankings. After his brilliant Australian Open campaign in which he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, he has since broken the world’s top 40. Last week, Wolf ran compatriot John Isner very close in the Dallas semifinal, losing in a third-set tiebreak. Can he improve on his 7-3 record for the season at the Delray Beach Open when he opens up against Ilya Ivashka?

Ilya Ivashka, meanwhile, is still looking for his first win of 2023. After a subpar 2022 season which was beset by injuries, Ivashka hasn’t managed to find his footing for the new season. Last season he lost in a marathon three-setter against Jack Sock in Dallas. The Delray Beach Open will be his third tournament of the season and is in dire need of a headstart when he faces J.J. Wolf.

J.J. Wolf and Ilya Ivashka have not played each other on the ATP Tour. Tuesday’s match at the Delray Beach Open will be their first official meeting. Ivashka is clearly not up to the test as far as fitness and confidence are concerned. Last week’s heartbreaking defeat to Jack Sock only further derails his rhythm and feel-good factor that he is trying so hard to find. Wolf is the best form of his life and we cannot see anything but a nailed-on win for the American.