Playing his ninth Major in a career, Sebastian Korda has reached the fourth round for the third time, the first at Melbourne Park. The young American took down a two-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the third round to deliver a career-best victory and reach the last 16. Sebastian had a match point in the Adelaide final versus Novak Djokovic, shifting that form to Melbourne and looking like a dangerous rival for everyone in the upper half of the draw. Medvedev experienced another blow after playing in back-to-back Australian Open finals in the past years, never finding his A-game after that terrible loss to Rafael Nadal in the last year’s title clash. Korda claimed six points more than Medvedev and stood as a more aggressive player after hitting over 50 winners and unforced errors. The American rushed to the net 50 times and won 75% of the points, pleasing his coach Radek Stepanek.
Sebastian Korda defeated Daniil Medvedev at Rod Laver Arena.
Sebastian lost serve four times and delivered five return games from ten opportunities. The young gun played better in both tie breaks to leave a better-ranked opponent behind and enjoy a notable victory, his fourth against the top-10 rivals. The first set lasted an hour and 25 minutes, with two competitors pushing each other to the limits. Korda made a strong start and seized the fourth break chance in the encounter’s first game for an early advantage. Medvedev saved a break point in game three, but his initial shot was not there. The American grabbed another break in game five after forcing the rival’s mistake, doing everything right so far. Suddenly, Medvedev raised his level on the return and caught back-to-back breaks in games six and eight to lock the result at 4-4 and gain a boost. The Russian hit a double fault in the ninth game and fell 5-4 behind. The American served for the set in game ten, but it was not to be for him.
He experienced the third straight break and kept the rival in contention. The set went into a tie break, and Korda earned a set point at 5-5. He squandered it with a loose backhand and missed another at 7-6. Sebastian moved 8-7 up with a forehand down the line winner and sealed the set on his third set point after a deep return. Korda saved a break point at the start of the second set and forced Medvedev’s mistake in game two for an early advantage. The American served well in the rest of the set and claimed it 6-3 with a beautiful serve & volley combo in game nine. Daniil experienced another break at the start of the third set, and Sebastian served well to forge a 4-2 advantage and move closer to the finish line. The Russian made one last push and broke back in game eight for 4-4. They served well in the remaining games to introduce a tie break, a must-winning one for a two-time finalist. However, Korda played well and moved 6-1 in front, with five match points up for grabs. Sebastian converted the third with a forehand winner to celebrate a massive victory and move into the last 16.