It will be an all-American final between former finalist Tommy Paul and compatriot Sebastian Korda to conclude this year’s edition of Delay Beach on Sunday.
Second time in the finals here in Delray, so I’m really excited for the game tomorrow. tommy paul
Paul, in fact, eliminated his second compatriot, Learner Tien, in the semifinals, after having overthrown the top seed, Taylor Fritz, in the quarterfinals.
Fifth-seeded Paul outlasted Tien to defeat the left-hander, eight years his junior, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in what turned out to be an excellent tennis match with excellent court coverage and long rallies during the two-hour, 14-minute encounter.
Paul, 28, took a 3-0 lead in the decider and saved four break points to take a 3-1 lead, fending off another break point at 4-2 and another at 5-3, finally claiming his place in the final for the second time.
“He was obviously playing incredible tennis in the first set,” Paul said of Tien. “I was really struggling to stay with him. I felt like he was doing everything a little better than me, but I knew I had to mix things up and try to change the pace: get to the net a little more, cut a little more. I thought I did a great job switching, serving and volleying a little bit.
“It’s my second time being in the finals here in Delray, so I’m really excited for tomorrow’s game.”
He faces Korda for his fifth title, but has a 2-4 win-loss record against his compatriot.
Sebastian Korda raises his fist upon reaching the final
(Photo by Mauricio Paiz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Korda, 25, reached his first Tour final in more than a year by defeating third seed Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-1 and with 12 aces he outlasted the Italian and did not face a break point in their 76-minute semi-final.
“I think it was a great match. I think I served pretty well. I didn’t have too many pressure situations on my serve, and that opens up the return possibilities,” Korda said. “I think I played a great breakaway, and after that, I started feeling the ball a little better, returning it a little better, and putting pressure on it a little bit.”
Korda reached the final in 2021 losing to Hubert Hurkacz and is determined to lift the trophy this time in an all-American clash.
“That’s where you want to be, especially here in the United States,” Korda said. “You want these American finals, and it will definitely be an American final, so it will definitely be exciting.”
