From MP saves to final: Korda, Cobolli set Washington title match

After saving a combined seven match points earlier this week at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Sebastian Korda and Flavio Cobolli advanced to the final at the Washington ATP 500. After rain delayed the start of both Saturday evening semi-finals, Korda knocked off Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4 on the stadium court and Cobolli beat Ben Shelton 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 on the grandstand.

Korda, who saved two match points against Thanasi Kokkinakis in the third round, is bidding to match father Petr Korda (1992) by winning the Washington title. He will play for his second tour-level crown in his seventh final.

In an all-American semi-final, he fired 12 aces and saved the lone break point against him, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He hit 25 winners and made just five unforced errors in a clean performance against local favourite Tiafoe.

"It was pretty good today. Frances plays some of his best tennis here. I just tried to take care of my side of the court," said Korda. "I think I played really well today and I served really well, so that was probably the key for today."

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After beating Italy's Cobolli in the pair's first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting earlier this season in Rome, the American will hope to repeat that result on his own home soil.

"We've never played each other on a hard court, but we played on clay in Rome, and it's very tricky to play against him there," he said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully a good crowd and some support for me, and we'll see what happens."

Cobolli used his biggest career win by PIF ATP Ranking to advance to his first tour-level final, knocking out World No. 14 Shelton. The 22-year-old saved five match points against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round and notched his third consecutive three-set win on Saturday night.

"I'm shaking, I'm so happy," an emotional Cobolli said post-match. "I can't describe my emotions right now. I'm so proud of myself. It's my first final... I really enjoyed the match today. This week is unbelievable. I think it's my week. Every day I woke up and I just want to play my tennis. This is maybe the reason that I'm here."

The Italian, who competed in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF last November, is up 15 places to No. 33 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings this week, setting himself up for a career high. Korda is also set for a new career high after rising three places to No. 19 this week in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.