DC Open: Thirty-Two Years On, Another Korda Triumphs In Washington

Sebastian Korda, DC Citi Open, Washington
Sebastian Korda (photo: Mike Lawrence/Mubadala Citi DC Open)

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

Sebastian Korda of the United States captured his second and biggest ATP Tour title of his career, winning the ATP 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, in Washington, D.C., Sunday evening.

Playing in his eighth tour-level final, the fourth seed Korda’s triumph in the nation’s capital city came 32 years after his father, Petr Korda, won the Washington title in 1992. Like father, like son.

The title victory, wrapped up in an hour and 34 minutes at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park, also ended a 17-year Washington drought as Korda became the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2007 to win the DC Open crown. The World No. 22 will rise to No. 18 in the new PIF ATP Rankings on Monday.

“It’s pretty emotional,” the 24-year-old Korda said in his champion’s news conference, after becoming the fifth American ATP Tour champion this season. “Been coming here for so many years. My dad’s played here so many times. Just to win is pretty special.

“I fought hard today, just stayed with it. Yeah, hope for good things to come.”

Korda hit seven aces, won 83 percent of his first-serve points, struck 17 winners and made just six unforced errors. He broke the 10th-seeded and 48th-ranked Cobolli’s serve five times. From 1-2 down in the second set, Korda won the last 11 games of the final and outpointed his opponent 83-56. He improved to 2-0 against Cobolli after defeating the Italian in Rome earlier this season.

Cobolli finished his week in Washington by earning a career-high PIF ATP Ranking after playing in four consecutive three-setters, including the final. He will move up 15 places to World No. 33.

Korda’s title triumph was filled with plenty significance. As it turns out, the Kordas — Petr and Sebastian — are the first father-son duo to win a crown at the same ATP Tour event in tour history.

“My dad used to coach Radek Stepanek, who also won here in 2011,” Korda said during the trophy ceremony. “We have a lot of history with this tournament, and obviously one of my biggest goals was one day coming here and hopefully winning the tournament and putting my name up there on the stadium. Now that I have the opportunity, this is probably the most special moment of my career so far.”

Later, Korda admitted in press, “I cried a little bit. Yeah, pretty emotional. So many times I’ve practiced or played on center court here. Get to see my dad in ’92 always right across from where you sit down. It’s pretty cool to finally put my name up there, as well.

“Hopefully he comes with me next year just to be here and experience this special moment.”

Lammons and Withrow win first ATP 500 doubles title

Until Sunday, all seven of the ATP Tour doubles titles won by Americans Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow had been at the 250-series level, including last week at the Atlanta Open.

Now, they’ve captured their first ATP 500-series title – and eighth ATP Tour title overall – at the Mubadala Citi DC Open after defeating Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo of Brazil, 7-5, 6-3, in 66 minutes to become the first American champion in DC Open men’s doubles since Jack Sock in 2022 (with Nick Kyrgios) and the first all-American champions in Washington since Bob and Mike Bryan in 2015.

The winners combined to hit seven aces, dropped only four points on their first serve, converted two of five break points, defended both break points they faced and outpointed Matos and Melo 67-56.

“Lucky for us it was a little hot and we could kind of bring the heat today,” Lammons said during the trophy ceremony. “Thanks to my partner Jackson. We got some good momentum going the last couple of weeks. We love playing here in the States.”

Added Withrow: “You guys have been amazing all week for us. We feel the energy, we feel like you guys love doubles.”

The American duo improved to 97-69 on tour-level as a pair (28-20 in 2024). They’ve won seven straight matches over the last two weeks and have moved into ninth place in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, heading into the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Montreal.

By the numbers

World No. 22 Sebastian Korda became the first American man to win the Washington title since Andy Roddick in 2007. He captured the crown 22 years after his father, Petr Korda, won the 1992 title defeating Henrik Holm. Petr Korda played in three DC Open title matches (1991, 1992, 1997).

“Quotable …”

“Just how mentally tough I was all week, how I battled all week. Even today, I battled till the end. I made him serve it out, close it out. Yeah, I mean, even when I wasn’t playing my best, kind of kept going, stayed with it. Had guys serving for it, broke back. Just always kind of kept going to give myself a chance.

“I think those are huge things. Seeing what has kind of happened, just keep going. That’s probably the best thing, I stayed tough mentally the whole week.”

— Frances Tiafoe of the United States and a hometown favorite, during his post-match press conference early Sunday morning, describing the week’s positive moments after losing his semifinal match to fellow American Sebastian Korda.

 

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