Tennis

Australian Open: Korda shocks seventh-seed Medvedev

The American downed the 2021 and 2022 Australian Open finalist 7-6(7), 6-3, 7-6(4) to advance to the round of 16.

Sentinel Digital Desk

MELBOURNE: Backing up his impressive start to 2023, Sebastian Korda delivered a stunning performance on Friday at the Australian Open, where he outplayed Daniil Medvedev for a 7-6(7), 6-3, 7-6(4) third-round victory, here.

The American struck the ball confidently from the first point against the seventh-seeded Medvedev. He broke the 2021 and 2022 Australian Open finalist in the first game and was a constant threat in return games, ultimately converting five out of 10 break points and holding his nerve in first and third-set tie-breaks to seal a fourth-round spot in style.

"It was an unbelievable match. I kind of knew what I had to do. I stuck with it even when I was going up and down with the emotions, but I'm thrilled right now, I played amazing, and it was an unbelievable match for me," said Korda in his on-court interview.

In his first tournament of 2023, Korda defeated Andy Murray and Jannik Sinner en route to the final of the Adelaide International 1, where he held championship points before falling in three sets to Novak Djokovic.

Having now dispatched Medvedev for his first Grand Slam win against a top 10 opponent, the 2018 Australian Open boys' singles champion will be feeling confident as he prepares to face Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.

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