Sometimes, when Sebastian Korda is in perfect form and healthy, it’s hard to understand why he’s never cracked the ATP top 10. Lean, efficient, powerful and tenacious, he has all the hallmarks of an elite force on tour, and Delray Beach fans got to see this version of the Floridian on Friday as he overturned a first-set deficit to defeat second-seeded Casper Rudd 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
“It wasn’t a good start for me, but I stayed in shape,” Korda said after playing 12 of the final 16 games. “Luckily, I found some form and I started playing well after that.”
The 50th-ranked Korda earned his first win over the three-time Grand Slam finalist and joins Italy’s Flavio Coboli in the semifinals, who beat 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 praised the former world number 40 for being an inspiration.
“Ryan and I had a lot of fun together, we kept it light and that’s what I needed, a lot of positivity and a lot of hunger,” he said.
Korda was eager to score against Ruud and he was spot on, winning 24 of 29 games at the net. It is worth noting that he also hit 22 forehand winners for Luther, including 12, and 13 backhand winners for the Norwegian, which was 0.
At 2-2 in the second set, Korda took over and broke Ruud van Nistelrooy in four of the Norwegian’s final six service games.
Three of the four players in the Delray Beach semifinals will be Americans, with two All-American semifinals scheduled for later Friday.
Top seed Taylor Fritz plays fifth seed Tommy Paul, and eighth seed Frances Tiafoe plays fourth seed Learner Tian.
Korda, who competed in the 2021 Delray Beach final (l. to Hubert Hekatz), reached his 20th ATP semifinal and with this win improved his record in Delray Beach to 9-2.
This was Luther’s first game since becoming a father. He and fiancé Maria welcomed their first child, a daughter, in late January. He is making his debut at the Delray Beach Open and is seeking to become the first Norwegian semifinalist to compete in the event.
