Sebastian Korda ‘super happy’ to bury demons by closing out Carlos Alcaraz victory
Sebastian Korda feels good after serving out his win over rising star Carlos Alcaraz, defeating the teenager after more than three hours of play.
Before Monte Carlo, Korda had served for the match in three of his five losses so far in 2022, including a heartbreaking loss to Rafael Nadal in Indian Wells when he served for the match twice in the final set.
That fate did not come to pass against Alcaraz though as he held in the final game of their battle to win 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 on Court Rainier III.
Korda said after downing Alcaraz: “It feels nice, especially losing to a Spaniard in Indian Wells and serving for it [there against Nadal].
“It was nice to get a victory today.
“I just [had to] stay calm and believe in my returning.”
Windy conditions played a big role in the encounter as both men struggled to hold serve in a match that saw a total of 13 breaks of serve.
Korda continued: “It was super tough, every time you threw up the ball it would move around.
“I’m just happy with the way I handled myself.”
Moreover, the victory sees Korda level his head-to-head with Alcaraz to 1-1 after losing to the 18-year-old in the final of last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals.
A masterclass in mastering the elements ?@SebiKorda takes out Miami champion Alcaraz 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 6-3 in the #RolexMCMasters second round! pic.twitter.com/51ngEOJmEN
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 13, 2022
After defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round, Korda is now 2-0 in his career in Monte Carlo and improves to a win-loss record of 10-5 so far in 2022.
The 21-year-old American has shown himself to be adept on the red dirt, claiming his maiden ATP title on the surface in Parma last year and registering his joint best Slam result at Roland Garros in 2020.
There Sebastian Korda reached the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Nadal.
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