Sebastian Korda, Tommy Paul advance to ATP Delray Beach Final

Delray Beach, FL–

It’s an all-American closing on the playing cards on the 2026 Delray Beach Open, however for locals, it is Florida vs. Florida on Sunday. Sebastian Korda and Tommy Paul, each earlier finalists at this event, sealed their spots within the finale on Saturday.

Korda cruises in afternoon matchup

Korda, who made the ultimate of the Delray Beach Open in 2021, took out Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1) 6-1, carrying down the Italian in scorching situations.

Leading 5-4 within the first set, Korda had two set factors earlier than Cobolli dug himself out of a 16-shot rally to prolong the set. In the first-set tiebreak, it was Korda who pulled out the defensive stops to dominate in a 7-1 scoreline.

On Fire 💥

Sebastian Korda takes the opening tiebreak vs Cobolli in emphatic fashion!#DBOpen pic.twitter.com/9nqcniIfLn

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 21, 2026

The wheels got here off for the No. 3 seed, Cobolli, within the second set. The Italian hit two winners within the set, making simply 38% of his first serves.

A backhand passing shot down the road sealed the victory for Korda, who will rise within the rankings to round No. 40 spot after the event.

“I definitely take full advantage as much as I can,” Korda mentioned of enjoying in Florida, discussing rising up within the state’s warmth and humidity. He’s from Bradenton, Florida, simply outdoors Tampa, and round three hours away from the Delray Beach event web site.

Korda has rebounded from a rough start to 2026, highlighted by a shocking first-round loss on the Australian Open to school star Michael Zheng. He misplaced within the closing of an ATP Challenger Tour occasion in San Diego, and has compiled a 6-1 run since.

“Just believe in myself,” Korda mentioned of his kind in Delray Beach. “I think that’s one of the biggest keys in tennis, honestly, just to have a lot of confidence.”

Korda’s look in Sunday’s closing–the fifth between two Americans within the event’s 34-year historical past–shall be his first since February 2025, and first since former skilled Ryan Harrison joined his group.

Tommy Paul delights the night time crowd

Paul took out Learner Tien 4-6 6-4 6-3 in Delray Beach’s second semifinal underneath the Saturday night time lights. After dropping within the Delray Beach closing to Taylor Fritz in 2024, he bought his revenge over Fritz and now will play for a fifth ATP title on Sunday.

Tien had gained two bruising three-setters this weekand after he gained the primary set 6-4, it was trying like he might need his long-awaited straightforward route to the ultimate. Tien had a break level at 3-3 within the second set, earlier than Paul began to step up his aggression and groundstrokes. He gained the second set 6-4, as Tien’s power began to dip.

Going three in Delray! Tommy Paul wins an exhilarating rally with a forehand winner to arrange set level, after which breaks serve to take the set 6-4. @LastWordTennis pic.twitter.com/KzjYwE7JOC

— Andreas Pelekis (@atp3417) February 22, 2026

“He’s a tough guy to hold against,” Paul mentioned of Tien. “He returns so well, puts pressure on you on first and second serves. He’s a serious player, he’s really good, a really good player. He’s got a really good future ahead of him.”

In the third set, some poor misses off Tien’s racket noticed the No. 4 seed slip down a break within the decider. He saved on producing break level possibilities, however Paul saved all six within the third set.

Paul additionally had to save a break level within the closing recreation. He hit a robust first serve out large and appeared to serve and volley to shut out the match. He thought Tien’s return would miss large, but it surely barely clipped the road.

“Only one thing to do, get back to the line and try and make a first serve on that next point,” Paul, from Boca Raton, Florida, mentioned. I’ve gained the subsequent two factors to advance to the ultimate.

Tommy Paul is thru to Sunday’s @DelrayBeachOpen finish. He takes out Learner Tien 4-6 6-4 6-3, on his second match level. pic.twitter.com/JHmutgs5dy

— Andreas Pelekis (@atp3417) February 22, 2026

Paul, the No. 5 seed, now holds a 10-1 file over fellow American gamers because the begin of 2025.

The closing is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm native time.

Main Photo Credit: Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open