Sebastian Korda had not played in the main draw of The Championships at Wimbledon prior to this week, let alone on Centre Court, but the #NextGenATP American competed with great maturity and composure on Friday for a place in the fourth round.
Korda revelled in the atmosphere, silencing the majority of the British support, to record a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over home hope Daniel Evans, the 21st seed, in two hours and 24 minutes.
“I just stayed calm in the biggest moments as much as I could," said Korda. "I tried to stay relaxed and keep playing attacking tennis, that’s what I do. I’m really proud of myself for that today.”
“[It's] a big achievement. A year ago, I was 220 in the world and I’m here in the fourth round at Wimbledon. It’s incredible. I have my family to thank, my coaches and everybody around me.”
20-year-old @SebiKorda becomes 8th men's player since 2001 to advance to 4R at both @RolandGarros (2020) & @Wimbledon (2021) before his 21st birthday.#Korda@StefTsitsipas@Cilic_Marin@DjokerNole@RafaelNadal@TomasBerdych@RogerFederer@LleytonHewitt #RolandGarros #Wimbledon
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) July 2, 2021
Twenty-six years ago, his father, Petr Korda, had made his Centre Court debut by defeating fifth-seeded American Michael Chang 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the 1995 second round.
On Monday, when Korda celebrates his 21st birthday, the American will hope to overcome Russian 25th seed Karen Khachanov for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Should the World No. 50 triumph, he will match his father’s best performance at the All England Club, which came with a run to the 1998 last eight (l. to Henman).
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In a quick-fire first set, which lasted 25 minutes, Korda broke for a 5-3 lead after two consecutive forehand errors from Evans. Korda hit his 12th winner — a high forehand volley — to complete a strong performance, having won 20 of 26 service points.
Errors cost Korda at 2-3 in the second set, triggering a surge in confidence from Evans, who lost seven service points in the 34-minute passage of play. On three occasions, Korda came within a point of a 5-2 lead in the third set only to lose serve. However, a forehand error from Evans in the eighth game gifted Korda a chance to serve for the set.
While Evans took a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, the World No. 26 soon handed the break back to Korda. Once Evans hit a double fault at 4-4, 30/30, Korda didn't look back and his opponent was left to shout from his chair, "Practise your serve, you've got to practise your serve". Korda finished the match with a smash winner, raising his arms in celebration.
“I played the better tennis in the fourth set,” said Evans. “I had chances. I was a break up. I just couldn't string tennis together in long enough periods of time. [It was the] same [in] the third set. It's a tough one to take really. I didn't really play my game. I think I went to the net a handful of times."
Earlier this season, Korda, who is now 21-9 on the season, captured his first ATP Tour title in May at the Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma (d. Cecchinato). He also finished as runner-up at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com (l. to Hurkacz).
Last weekend, Korda's sister, Nelly, captured her first Grand Slam golf tournament at the Women’s PGA Championships in Atlanta. “My dad won a Grand Slam [the 1998 Australian Open]," said Korda. "My sister just won her first major and is the No. 1 golfer in the world, so it’s super inspiring. It’s crazy.”
Having come into the Grand Slam championship in third position in the ATP Race To Milan, Korda has further boosted his chance of a place at the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held from 9-13 November.
