By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday April 30, 2022
Frances Tiafoe saved three match points to defeat Sebastian Korda in the semifinals at Estoril.
Photo Source: Millenium Estoril Open
24 hours after rallying from 5-2 down in the third set to defeat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarterfinals, Frances Tiafoe was back for more drama at the Estoril Open.
On Saturday the American created a thrilling encore performance, saving a trio of match points in the second set before finishing off Sebastian Korda in three, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, to set a final with Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.
Early on Saturday Baez edged Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-0.
Displaying his flair for the dramatic once again, Tiafoe saved a match point at 2-5 in the second set and then another two while serving at 4-5.
“It was crazy,” Tiafoe said. “I was super down and out. Again I stuck with it.”
Tiafoe improves to 3-0 lifetime against Korda. The American will likely rue his performance in the big points. He buckled beneath the pressure, making a forehand error with Tiafoe serving at 4-5, 30-40, then playing passively two points later as Tiafoe dictated and saved his third match points.
FRANCES T̶I̶A̶F̶O̶E̶ HOUDINI 🎩@FTiafoe wins a DRAMATIC battle with Korda, saving 3 match points to win 4-6 7-6 6-4 & reach a 4th ATP final!@EstorilOpen pic.twitter.com/yr4Wykx77k
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2022
It’s the second time that Korda has failed to protect multiple match points en route to defeat in as many months. Rafael Nadal saved a pair against him at Indian Wells to win 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3).
After drawing level, Tiafoe took control in the second set, winning the tiebreak easily, and quickly moved ahead by a break in the third.
Korda responded, breaking back to get to 3-4 then holding to level at 4-all in the decider, but Tiafoe took the final two games, sealing the victory in two hours and 55 minutes with his fifth service break of the evening.
Tiafoe was a finalist at Estoril in 2018, but fell to Portugal’s Joao Sousa at the last hurdle. He is playing his fourth career ATP final and owns one title.
“I’m going for it,” Tiafoe said of his date in the final with Baez. “I’m going to push one last time and try to win this thing. I couldn’t do it in 2018 – tomorrow I have one plan and one plan only and I’m going to win it tomorrow.”