It’s a semifinal battle of Americans, as Sebastian Korda will take on countryman Frances Tiafoe on Saturday for a spot in the Estoril final.
It’s a surprise all-American final in the top half of the Estoril draw.
Frances Tiafoe, who is ranked 29th in the world, is comfortable enough on clay, but his best results have come on hard courts. The 24 year-old made the final in Estoril once before (2018), but his lone career title came on the hard courts of Delray Beach. Tiafoe has fared particularly poorly at the French Open; he has never won a main-draw match at Roland Garros.
Sebastian Korda has not yet notched a win over his countryman. The two men have met twice before–once last year and once back in 2018, which Tiafoe’s breakthrough year. Korda is ranked 37th, a career high for him. Like Tiafoe, Korda has a single career title–but his came on the clay courts of Parma last year.
Korda has a more natural clay-court game than Tiafoe. The 21-year-old wields plenty of power off the ground and some finesse as well; what he does not have is a weaponized serve. This surface extends points and allows Korda to lean into his game a bit more. It also softens his tendency to tighten up when he is attempting to serve out a match.
Both men played well in the quarterfinals. Tiafoe outlasted Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while Korda sent top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime packing. Tiafoe had to work much harder for his three-set win; Korda completely destroyed Auger-Aliassime. Look for Korda to get to the final.
Cheryl pick: Korda in 2
Ricky pick: Korda in 2
WWW?
Korda on a hot streak these 2 weeks…in 2.
He lost last week in R1 to Taberner.
Tough one to call, Tiafoe has played well vs. Korda in the past and got a big win yesterday, but it took 3 hours and he does have a cold, so his energy level is likely to be lower than what he would like today, the crowd loves him though and will give him huge support, which will help him a bit, having said that Korda still probably takes this, but it won’t be easy, 3 sets.
Like I said, this was always looking like a tough 3 setter. Not surprised to see Tiafoe get the win here. Well done to him.