Korda Blasts Past Ruud into Delray Beach Semis

There are moments, when Sebastian Korda is in perfect form and fitness, where it is difficult to understand why he has never been inside the ATP’s Top-10. Streamlined, efficient, powerful and relentless, he has all the trappings of an elite force on the tour, and fans in Delray Beach saw that version of the Floridian on Friday as he turned around a one-set deficit to hammer past No.2-seeded Casper Ruud, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

“It was not a great start for me, but I kept it together,” Korda said, after reeling off 12 of the final 16 games. “Luckily I found some form and I started playing really well after that.”

Korda, ranked No.50, earned his first victory over the three-time major finalist to take his place in the semifials along Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, who took out Coleman Wong 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 in Friday’s first quarterfinal.

The American is currently working with new coach Ryan Harrison, and he gave credit to the former World No.40 for keeping him inspired.

“I’m having a ton of fun with Ryan, we’re keeping it pretty light, that’s what I need, a lot of positivity and a lot of hunger,” he said.

Korda was hungry to get to the net agaist Ruud and he did so with precision, winning 24 of 29 at net. Notably he also hit 22 forehand winners to 12 for Ruud, and 13 backhand winners to zero for the Norwegian.

From 2-2 in the second set Korda took over, breaking Ruud in four of the Norwegian’s last six service games.

Three of the four Delray Beach semifinalists will be Americans, as two all-American semifinals will take place later on Friday.

Top-seeded Taylor Fritz takes on No.5-seeded Tommy Paul, while 8th-seeded Frances Tiafoe battles No.4 seed Learner Tien.

Korda, who played the Delray Beach final in 2021 (l. to Hubert Hurkacz) is into his 20th ATP semifinal and he improved to 9-2 lifetime at Delray Beach with the win.

Ruud was playing in his first event after becoming a father. He and his fiance Maria welcomed their first child, daughter in late January. He was making his Delray Beach Open debut, and was bidding to become the first Norwegian semifinalist at the event.