Tommy Paul’s Sweet Revenge & Learner Tien’s Ascent at Delray Beach Open

Two years after a defeat, Tommy Paul exacted revenge on Taylor Fritz at the Delray Beach Open, securing a 6-4, 6-3 victory in just 76 minutes. This win dashed Fritz’s hopes of claiming a third title at the ATP 250 event. Paul, the fifth seed, expressed his delight playing so close to home against a longtime friend.

“The last time we played was actually on this court, so it’s cool to play 15 minutes from home against one of my closest friends, longtime friends,” Paul shared after the match. He also acknowledged the enthusiastic support from the American crowd, stating, “I heard a lot of American tennis chants today and I promise we love that stuff and we’re trying really hard for you guys.”

Their head-to-head record is now tied at 3-3, a testament to the competitive nature of their rivalry. Paul attributed his success to strong serving and effective movement on the court. “In terms of the match, I thought I moved really well. I thought I served really well on the tight points,” he explained. “Usually if you hold serve, you’ll be in the match and I found the way on some big break points and I was really happy with how I played today.”

Next Up: A Challenge from Rising Star Learner Tien

Paul’s next opponent will be the rapidly ascending Learner Tien, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion. Tien overcame a break down in the deciding set to defeat Frances Tiafoe 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5. Paul acknowledged Tien’s recent success and the challenge he presents.

“He’s obviously really turned it on in the past year or so. He’s undoubtedly one of the best players in the world now,” Paul said. “He’s an exciting player to watch. I haven’t played him yet, so we’ll see how he is to play, I’m sure it’s not going to be easy. But I’m going to do everything I can to get ready for that match.”

Korda’s Resurgent Performance and Ruud’s Upset

In another exciting match, Sebastian Korda demonstrated composure and resilience to upset second seed Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. This victory marked Korda’s first semi-final appearance at the tournament since 2021.

“I tried battling as much as I could,” Korda stated. “Luckily, I found some form and started playing really well after that [first set].” Korda overcame a shaky start, marked by 17 unforced errors in the opening set, to dominate the remaining sets. He showcased impressive net play, winning 24 of 29 points at the net.

Korda will now face third seed Flavio Cobolli for a place in the final. Cobolli secured his spot with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 win over Coleman Wong.

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