<figure id="attachment_3287794" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3287794" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3287794 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1eb8a5c1-afp__20260221__2262860655__v2__midres__atp250delraybeachopen2026semifinals_1_cropped_1.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3287794" class="wp-caption-text">Sebastian Korda of the US celebrates after winning a point against Flavio Cobolli of Italy during their men&#8217;s singles semifinal match at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Florida. (AFP pic)</figcaption></figure>
LOS ANGELES: Sebastian Korda reached his first ATP final in more than a year on Saturday, toppling third-seeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 to book a title showdown with Tommy Paul in Delray Beach, Florida.
&#8220;I think it was a great match,&#8221; said Korda. &#8220;I think I served pretty well. I didn&#8217;t have too many pressure situations on my serve, and that opens up the returns.
&#8220;I think I played a great tie-breaker, and then after that, I just started feeling the ball a little bit better, returning a little better and put some pressure on him,&#8221; he said.
Korda didn&#8217;t face a break point as he produced a strong service performance that included a dozen aces.
He will play in the Delray Beach final for the second time, having finished runner-up to Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.
This time he will be up against fifth-seeded fellow American Paul, who rallied to beat fourth-seeded compatriot Learner Tien 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Paul is in his first final since he lifted the trophy in Stockholm in 2024. He had been 0-5 in semi-finals since then.
&#8220;He obviously was playing amazing tennis in the first (set),&#8221; said Paul, who was hindered last season by injuries including a ruptured foot ligament and an abdominal strain.
&#8220;I felt like I was really struggling to stay with him. I felt like he was doing everything a little bit better than me.
&#8220;I knew I had to mix things up and try to change the rhythm&#8230; I thought I did a great job mixing it up,&#8221; he added.

MatchPoint Times

Korda to face Paul in all-American Delray Beach final

Sebastian Korda reached his first ATP final by toppling third-seeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 to book a title showdown with Tommy Paul.

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