DELRAY BEACH, FL–
Sebastian Korda found himself in dangerous territory in the 2026 Delray Beach Open final. He had opportunities to close the match out, with rain looming, winds gusting and a crowd getting behind the hometown hero Tommy Paul.
But down 0-40 in his final service game, Korda found the confidence he needed to take out Paul 6-4 6-3 to win his third ATP Tour title Sunday.
“I think it’s as satisfying as it could get,” Korda said of his last hold of the match, who will rise to No. 40 in the rankings after an injury-riddled 2025 season. Korda took out three-seeded players at the event: Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli and Paul.
In front of 4,774 fans, Paul seemed to have the momentum earlier on. Korda sprayed a couple of unforced errors in the ninth game of the match to trail 15-30, but he rebounded with a crushing 135 mph serve, and two more aces to lead 5-4. He hit a forehand winner in the first point of the next game, and watched Paul misfire some backhands en route to winning the opener 6-4.
First set goes to Sebastian Korda. He hit some strong serves to get out of a tough service game at 4-4, and he’s been a bit more patient this set in the wind. One set away from the @DelrayBeachOpen title. pic.twitter.com/pNASMvhzB7
— Andreas Pelekis (@atp3417) February 22, 2026
The sun crept in during the first game of the second set, as Paul started to find momentum. In a 28-shot rally, the No. 5 seed crushed a forehand cross court winner, pumping the crowd up. His fan club, the high schoolers called the “Founding Fathers,” began to sing.
However, Paul’s game soon began to decline. Korda quickly broke back, and leading 2-1, he hit a net-cord winner to frustrate his opponent. More unforced errors from Paul allowed Korda to go on a four-game streak.
Korda nearly went up a double break in the second set. Leading 5-2, the skies began to darken. At deuce, Korda overhit a return off one of Paul’s slower second serves, and soon after, Paul hit a passing shot forehand winner to stay alive. The pair traded forehand winners, and Paul eventually held serve.
“At times I’m gonna play horrendous, at times I’m gonna play great,” Korda said. “I think in the past, I hadn’t accepted it.”
Korda saved four break points in his final service game. He missed a forehand on his first championship point, but on the second, Paul’s 27th unforced error sealed it.
“I know he’s dealt with a lot of injuries, a lot of setbacks, and I’m really happy to see him healthy, feeling good, playing each other in finals,” Paul said. “I don’t want to play other Americans early. Obviously, this week, you’re going to see so many Americans in the tournament. But I was happy that it was a double American final.”
American success in Delray Beach
The two Americans have history at the Delray Beach Tennis Center. They both won USTA clay court junior tournaments at the site, and faced off at the professional tournament in 2021. Korda won that match five years ago, prior to reaching his first-ever ATP Tour final.
Sebastian Korda is the 2026 @DelrayBeachOpen champion! It got tight at the end, but he did enough on his serve in the last game to defeat Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3. pic.twitter.com/rZeuNtQTKO
— Andreas Pelekis (@atp3417) February 22, 2026
“A lot of guys live down here, they train here,” Korda, from Bradenton, Florida, said of a field that featured eight Top 30 singles players. “A lot of the guys are going to be playing this tournament for the next couple of years. It’s great that Delray Beach gets such great competitors.”
Blustery conditions impacted each player’s serve for much of the match. At one point, Korda had to catch his ball toss three times prior to hitting a serve, when serving for the match.
“I can’t be pissed at Mother Nature,” said Paul after the match, smiling. “I’m a little pissed off at myself, but it is what it is. You gotta learn from it and use it in the next tournament.”
Korda credited his new coaching mentor Ryan Harrison, the former professional who peaked at No. 40 in the world, for giving advice when he needed it the most. He also praised Paul, who he now leads in the head-to-head 5-2.
“There’s not a day where he’s not giving it all,” Korda said of Paul.
Korda’s win marked his first ATP Tour title since 2024, as he’s the ninth American champion at this tournament.
Main photo credit: Andrew Patron / Delray Beach Open
