Sebastian Korda clinched his third ATP title with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Tommy Paul at the Delray Beach Open. Returning to the final after being the runner-up in 2021, Korda showed resilience, especially when serving for the championship at 5-3 in the second set. Facing a 0-40 deficit, he dug deep to seal the win in just over an hour and 20 minutes.
Reflecting on his triumph, Korda expressed, “It means a lot. I’ve been through some tough times recently.
After losing several finals, winning here in Delray, where I reached my first ATP final, feels like coming full circle. I’m just happy.”
Korda’s journey to the title was nothing short of impressive. He dispatched three of the top five seeds, including Tommy Paul, Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, and Flavio Cobolli in the semis. He also overcame fellow Americans Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen in the earlier rounds.
In the final, Korda adapted to the challenging windy conditions better than Paul. Serving at 67 percent, he fired nine aces and limited his double faults to just two. Despite being broken once, Korda immediately broke back in the opening game of the second set, maintaining his momentum.
Paul threatened to extend the match with a break opportunity in the final game, but Korda's determination shone through as he saved four break points to clinch the title.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to win a tournament after being down 0-40 while serving,” Korda shared post-match. “I’ve worked hard, especially on the mental side, trusting the process, going for my shots, and avoiding negativity.”
Korda’s victory at Delray Beach not only adds another trophy to his collection but also marks a significant milestone in his career, highlighting his growth and resilience on the ATP tour.