US pair face clay battle in one-off Parma result

Sebastian Korda will play Tommy Paul in a rare all-American clay semi-final on Friday at the ATP event in Parma.

The North Americans both advanced in straight sets at the Italian tournament, with Korda defeating Yoshihito NIshioka of Japan 6-3, 6-3 while Paul stopped  German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 6-4.

Korda, son of former Australian Open champion Petr Korda, began his week with back-to-back defeats of Italians before moving onto Nishioka.

The 20-year-old ranked 63rd who grew up on Florida hardcourts will be competing in his first career Tour semi-final on clay.

“I played a great match. I know he has been playing really good tennis, he (Nishioka)  reached the semi-final in Lyon (last week),” Korda said. 

“It’s my first semi-final on clay and I’m super happy.”

The winner advanced to the final four after converting four of nine break points chances and spun off the last four games to end the 81-minute encounter. 

Korda beat Paul in the second round on the way to the Delray Beach title in February.

“I’m really good friends with Tommy,” Korda said. “We practise together a lot. It’s going to be a really fun match. 

“He’s been playing great, so hopefully it will be a fun one.”

The other semi will pit Spaniard Jaume Munar against Italian wild card Marco Cecchinato.

Munar booked his spot over French veteran Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-1 while Cecchinato hammered seven aces in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Slovak lucky loser Norbert Gombos.

Main photo:- Seb Korda advances into Parma Final © ATPTour.com