Tommy Paul Stuns Top Seed Fritz, Sets Up All-American Semifinal Showdown With Learner Tien at 2026 Delray Beach Open
The 2026 Delray Beach Open is heating up with pure American tennis drama. Fifth seed Tommy Paul delivered one of the most complete performances of his recent career on Friday night, dismantling top seed and close friend Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in just 76 minutes to advance to the semifinals — setting the stage for a highly anticipated all-American clash against the red-hot rising star Learner Tien.
Paul Exacts Sweet Revenge on Fritz at Home
Two years ago on the very same court in South Florida, Fritz cruised past Paul in the Delray Beach Open final. On Friday, the script was flipped entirely. Playing just 15 minutes from home, Paul was a man on a mission — aggressive from the first point, relentless on return, and utterly dominant on his own serve.
Paul blasted 34 winners throughout the match, served 6 aces without a single double fault, and kept Fritz scoreless on break points — saving all three he faced — while converting 3 of 11 break-point chances himself. It was a masterclass in first-serve dominance, with Paul winning 83% of points behind his first delivery — numbers that made Fritz look helpless from the baseline.
Paul and Fritz have been close friends since their junior days and won a bronze medal together in men's doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But on Friday night, friendship was set aside. The win evened their head-to-head rivalry at 3-3 and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
"The last time we played was actually on this court," Paul said after the match. "I heard a lot of American tennis chants today and I promise we love that stuff — we're trying really hard for you guys."
Tien's Gritty Run Sets Up First-Ever Meeting With Paul
Standing between Tommy Paul and a Delray Beach final is 20-year-old Learner Tien, who has been absolutely electrifying this week in South Florida. Tien rallied from a break down in the deciding set to eliminate 2018 Delray Beach champion Frances Tiafoe 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 in a thriller that showcased everything that makes the youngster special — fight, resilience, and ice-cold nerves.
Tien, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion, enters Saturday's semifinal with a 7-3 overall record in 2026 and has already announced himself to the world with a victory over Daniil Medvedev at this year's Australian Open. Currently ranked No. 23 in the world — just 10 points ahead of Paul at No. 24 — this semi-final matchup between two Americans is essentially a battle of equals on paper.
This will mark the first-ever ATP Tour meeting between Paul and Tien, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already mouth-watering contest.
"He's obviously really turned it on in the past year or so. He's undoubtedly one of the best players in the world now," Paul said of Tien. "He's an exciting player to watch. I haven't played him yet, so we'll see how he is to play — I'm sure it's not going to be easy."
What's at Stake Saturday Night
The winner of Paul vs. Tien will advance to an all-American final against Sebastian Korda, who upset second seed Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to book his place in the last four. That means no matter what happens Saturday, the 2026 Delray Beach Open final will feature two American players — a remarkable achievement that underlines the depth and resurgence of U.S. men's tennis.
The semifinal is scheduled for approximately 8:00 PM Eastern on Center Court at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, with coverage available on the Tennis Channel.
Paul carries home-crowd energy, experience at the sharp end of tournaments, and momentum from an effortless quarterfinal. Tien carries youth, audacity, and the kind of fearless ball-striking that has rattled some of the biggest names on tour. One thing is certain: South Florida is getting a semifinal worth staying up for.
