Sebastian Korda went all the way at the ATP 250 event in Delray Beach, defeating Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3.
The American claimed his third ATP title, the first since Washington in 2024, and withdrew from this week's ATP 500 event in Acapulco.
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
Sebastian needed an hour and 22 minutes to defeat Tommy. The younger American made the difference behind the first serve and defended five breaks from six chances offered to his opponent, four in the final game of the match.
Paul lost 43% of the points in his games and experienced three breaks to end on the losing side. The servers made a reliable start and claimed the opening nine games in 27 minutes.
Tommy served to stay in the set at 4-5 and faced two set points after a forced error. He missed a backhand on the first, allowing his rival to clinch the first part of the duel 6-4 in 33 minutes.
Paul landed a forehand crosscourt winner after an extended rally at the beginning of the second set for an early break. However, he sprayed a backhand error in the second game and allowed his rival to pull the break back instantly.
unknown© Tommy Paul & Sebastian Korda, Delray Beach 2026
The more experienced American lost serve again in the fourth game after a forehand error and fell 3-1 behind. Tommy faced another break points in the sixth game and saved it with a service winner before holding for 2-4.
Korda moved 5-2 up with a hold at love and reached multiple deuces on the return in game eight. Paul stayed focused and closed the game to extend the battle. The better-ranked American made the final push on the return in the tenth game.
He earned three break chances after Sebastian's loose forehand. Sebastian erased them with winners and defended the fourth with a forced error and seized a match point after the rival's forehand error to emerge at the top and lift a trophy.
