Emerging star Sebastian Korda has knocked twin runner-up Daniil Medvedev out of the Australian Open with a blinding straight-sets upset.
The 22-year-old American claimed a rollercoaster first set that went for 85 minutes and included six breaks on Friday to arrange the 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) triumph on Rod Laver Arena.
Medvedev, who was overwhelmed within the final two Australian Open finals, was merely outplayed by the tenacious Korda of their third-round conflict.
The son of 1998 Australian Open champion Petr, Korda continues his rise by the ranks with the most important win of his profession, advancing to the fourth spherical for the third time at a grand slam.
The twenty ninth seed will meet Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in a final-16 conflict.
“Probably one of the better matches I’ve played in my career,” Korda mentioned.
“Just stuck with the game plan, kept going after it.
No matter what happened, kept pushing forward.”
The end result got here as a shock however Korda has began 2023 in excellent kind, pushing 21-time main winner Novak Djokovic to a few units within the Adelaide International ultimate.
It is simply Korda’s second look at Melbourne Park, having been overwhelmed within the third spherical final 12 months.
The silky right-hander has beforehand reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon (2021) and the French Open (2020).
Korda’s prodigious sporting household have a wealthy historical past in Australia.
As effectively as Petr profitable his solely main 25 years in the past and mum Regina Rajchrtova being a Czech tennis Olympian, Sebastian claimed the junior title in 2018 and each his sisters, Jessica and Nelly, have each received the Australian Open in golf.
“It’s a special place for us. We’ve had some really great results,” Korda mentioned.
“Hopefully I can do one better than the juniors and do it in the pros.”
On courtroom, he received the gang laughing as he noticed: “I don’t know what I’m going to be ranked now but my mum’s career (high) ranking was 26, my dad’s was two, my sister Nelly was number one, my older sister Jessica was sixth … so I’m definitely the worst athlete in the family so far!”
Korda is blessed with expertise round him, connecting with eight-time main winner Andre Agassi throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s been one of the biggest parts in my rise,” Korda mentioned of Agassi, who texted him from America instantly after the match,.
“Just overall, not just as a tennis player, but as a human being.
“We spend a variety of time collectively. Yeah, he is very particular to me.”
Medvedev, a former world No.1, continues his search for a second grand slam to add to his 2021 US Open title.
After losing to Rafael Nadal in last year’s decider at Melbourne Park when up by two sets, Medvedev has failed to move past the fourth round in the three grand slams he has contested since.
“Right now, I’m somewhat bit struggling to win these type of matches in opposition to opponents that may play good stage. That’s what I’ve to search out again,” Medvedev mentioned.
