PARMA, May 28, 2021 (by Lorenzo Carini)
Both Sebastian Korda and Marco Cecchinato have reached the final of the inaugural Emilia-Romagna Open – Mutti Cup on red clay in Parma, Italy. Come Saturday, when the title match is held, the American and Italian will play with fans in attendance, thanks to a decision taken by the Italian government on Friday.
It’s a second ATP Tour final for @SebiKorda! 👏
The 20-year-old storms past Paul 6-3, 6-3 and has yet to drop a set this week in Parma.#EmiliaRomagnaOpen pic.twitter.com/Dk2cCiq8ZD
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 28, 2021
Korda upsets Paul in all-American semifinal
The unseeded, No. 63 Korda will play his second ATP Tour-level final and first on clay following his 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 55 Tommy Paul. The 23-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., who reached his first final earlier this year at the Delray Beach Open in Florida, will enter the Top 60 for the first time in his young career at No. 54 when the ATP Rankings are updated on Monday.
“I’ve played an incredible match today,” Korda said during an on-court interview. “It’s fun to be in an ATP final, especially on a surface like clay. I hope to win the title, but it won’t be easy.”
Lo statunitense @SebiKorda è il secondo finalista dell’@atptour 250 Emilia-Romagna Open Mutti Cup 🔥#EmiliaRomagnaOpen | #MuttiCup | @SuperTennisTv | @RegioneER | @ERTourism | @SkySport | @SkySportsTennis pic.twitter.com/SKaEv41WXZ
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) May 28, 2021
Cecchinato is Italian hope in Parma
Meanwhile, Cecchinato, a former Roland Garros semifinalist, will oppose Korda after outlasting 80th-ranked Spaniard Jaume Munar, 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-1, in two hours and 40 minutes. The No. 104 Cecchinato from Palermo, Italy, who will be competing in his fifth career final and second in Italy, will return to the Top 100 following his run to the Parma final.
Back in another clay-court final! 🙌
🇮🇹 Marco Cecchinato outlasts Munar 7-6(2), 1-6, 6-1 in Parma.#EmiliaRomagnaOpen pic.twitter.com/WyYnqf11iH
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 28, 2021
“I’m satisfied for this win because I’ve won a great battle,” Cecchinato said during a press conference after his victory. “I will have the opportunity to play one more final in Italy; that’s a very important thing for an Italian player.”
Asked about the crowd in Parma, Cecchinato said: “Stands were not full but people support is important. They’ve helped me a lot during the week. Before playing an ATP final, I always do the same routine; the final will be very tough. Korda is a very good player. I should play better than today.”
#MarcoCecchinato in finale all’@atptour 250 Emilia-Romagna Open Mutti Cup 🤩#EmiliaRomagnaOpen | #MuttiCup | @SuperTennisTv | @RegioneER | @ERTourism | @SkySport | @SkySportsTennis pic.twitter.com/SUG2RrqCCr
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) May 28, 2021
Bolelli/Gonzalez reach doubles final
Like the singles final, there will be an Italian presence in the doubles final, too. That’s because the Italian-Argentine team Simone Bolelli and Maximo Gonzalez will face Oliver Marach of Austria and Assam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan in the final.
Bolelli and Gonzalez defeated Roman Jebavy of the Czech Republic and Aleksandr Nedovyesov of Kazakhstan, 6-1, 6-4, while Marach and Qureshi advanced over Romain Arnoldo of Monaco and Benoit Paire of France, 6-3, 6-2.
SINGLES SF – RESULTS
Sebastian Korda (USA) d. [6] Tommy Paul, (USA), 6-3, 6-3
[WC] Marco Cecchinato (ITA) d. Jaume Munar (ESP), 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-1
DOUBLES SF – RESULTS
Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) d. Roman Jebavy (CZE)/Aleksandra Nedovyesov (KAZ), 6-1, 6-4
Oliver Marach (AUT)/Assam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) d. Romain Arneodo (MON)/Benoit Paire (FRA), 6-3, 6-2
