Sebastian Korda ‘played amazing’ to score shock win over former No.1

Sebastian Korda is into his third Grand Slam fourth round, first in Australia, after a formidable straight sets win, 7-6(7) 6-3 7-6(4), over two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev.

The American No.3 was understandably delighted with his performance, “Unbelievable match. I kind of knew what I had to do. I stuck with it … I’m thrilled right now. I played amazing, and it was an unbelievable match for me.”

At only 22 years old, Korda has already amassed an enviable record, winning an ATP title and reaching the last-16 of a Grand Slam on every surface.

However, it is not the first success that the Korda family have had down under, with his dad, Petr Korda, winning the Australian Open title in 1998.

Both of Korda’s sisters, Jessica and Nelly, are professional golfers and have also won their respective Australian Open titles. The sporting family is complete with mum, Regina Rajchrtová, who was a top 30 tennis player and Seb Korda joked that he is the weak link of the family.

“I don’t know where I’m going to be ranked [after this result] but my mom’s career [Regina] high was 24, my dad was No 2, Nelly my sister was No 1, my other sister Jessica was No 6 … so I’m definitely the worst athlete in the family so far.”

For Medvedev, it’s his worst performance in Melbourne since 2018 and will now leave the top 10, having been No.1 as recent as the 29th August.

Medvedev’s exit means the top half of the draw will produce a finalist that has never won a Grand Slam, with Stefanos Tsitsipas the only one to reach the final of a major.

Korda came into the Australian Open in good form, having made the final of the Adelaide International, only losing out to Novak Djokovic, despite having a match point.

The Serb was complimentary of Korda in Adelaide, “One of the players that has kind of the cleanest striking technique that you can see on the tour. I mean, he’s so talented. Everything seems very flawless with him. Just effortless, not flawless. The way he plays, the way he moves on the court, just beautiful-looking tennis.”

“He’s one of the players on the new generation that is coming up, one of the contenders for the top spots of the world. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time when he’s going to break through top 10.”

Korda will try and reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final, when he plays Hubert Hurkacz. Korda has only played the Pole once before, and that was a straight sets defeat, in Delray Beach.