Delray Beach
Paul denies Tien, reaches Delray Beach final
The 28-year-old saves six break points in decider; meets Korda in final
February 22, 2026
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Tommy Paul is seeking his fifth ATP Tour title.
By ATP Staff
Tommy Paul rallied past Learner Tien in an all-American semi-final Saturday at the Delray Beach Open to continue his quest for a fifth ATP Tour trophy. Paul, eight years Tien’s senior, overcame the lefty 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In a high-quality tussle, Paul showcased superb court coverage and seized control of extended rallies, highlighted by an 18-shot exchange he won to earn set point in the second set.
The 28-year-old rode his momentum from there, racing to a 3-0 lead in the decider. Paul survived a 10-minute service hold at 3-1, saving four break points in that game. He fended off another break point at 4-2, finishing the point at net, and found a forehand winner when facing break point at 5-3. Paul saved six break points in the third set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to reach the Delray Beach final for the second time (2024).
“He obviously was playing amazing tennis in the first set,” Paul said of Tien. “I was really struggling to stay with him. I felt like he was doing everything a little bit better than me, but I knew I had to mix things up and try to change the rhythm — get to net a little bit more, slice a little bit more. I thought I did a great job switching it up, serve and volleying a bit.
“Second time in the final here in Delray, so I’m really excited for the match tomorrow.”
With his two-hour, 14-minute victory, Paul ended his five-match skid in tour-level semi-finals since winning the ATP 250 in Stockholm in 2024.
Paul entered the week at No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings, just one spot below Tien, whom he was facing for the first time. He will next look to improve upon his 2-4 Lexus ATP Head2Head record against countryman Sebastian Korda.
The 25-year-old Korda reached his first ATP Tour final in more than a year by defeating third seed Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-1. Korda hit 12 aces and won 82 per cent of his second-serve points to avoid trouble against the Italian. He did not face a break point in the 76-minute clash.
“I think it was a great match. I think I served pretty well. I didn’t have too many pressure situations on my serve, and that opens up the returns,” Korda said. “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.”
The Delray Beach ATP 250 event has always been a happy hunting ground for Korda, who now owns a 10-2 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The American made the final in 2021, falling short to Hubert Hurkacz. Korda will try to go one step further in all-American final.
“That’s where you want to be, especially here in the States,” Korda said. “You want these American finals, and it’s definitely going to be an American final, so it’s going to be exciting for sure.”
