NextGen American star Sebastian Korda’s trip to the 2022 Australian Open did not begin how he would have hoped, but after a few weeks Down Under, the 21-year-old Korda could not ask to be in a better position.
After testing positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in Australia, Korda was forced to quarantine in a hotel room for a week. Using the headboard of his hotel room bed as a wall was not the start of his 2022 Australian trip the American had imagined.
Although the positive COVID result did not allow Korda to play in any warmup events, he came out as sharp as ever against #12 seed and breakout 2021 player Cameron Norrie. The American dominated the Brit 6-3 6-0 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes for his first main draw Australian Open victory. After the win, Korda brought out the scissor-kick celebration patented by his father, 1996 Australian Open Champion Petr.
His Round 2 match, however, was not nearly as straightforward.
Sebastian Korda ousted fiery Frenchman Corentin Moutet 3-6 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5 7-6 (6) in a four hour and 47 minute marathon. Korda fought off Moutet at 4-5 in the fourth set as the Frenchman served for the match. The 21-year-old Korda showed off his incredible poise and played the big points very well to clinch this Round 2 victory.
Korda’s Round 3 matchup will come against #19 seed Pablo Carreno Busta. Like Korda, Carreno Busta had a straight set first round victory before being tested by World #62 Tallon Griekspoor in a four-hour-and-ten-minute five-set burner.
Korda and Carreno Busta have never faced off on tour.
Though the young Korda may be a season or two away from having true Slam title aspirations, the makeup of his game is one of a future Slam winner. Plus, he has family bragging rights at stake! His aforementioned father, Petr, won the 1996 Australian Open. His sister Jessica won the 2012 LPGA Australian Open, and his other sister, Nelly, won the 2019 LPGA Australian Open, as well as the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal.
Your move, Sebi.
Main Photo from Getty.
