Sebastian Korda is the participant to beat on the Australian Open — in response to the best participant of all time.
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver has his eye firmly on American giant-killer and son-of-a-champion Korda, who dismissed two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev on Friday night time.
Laver favored what he noticed in that conflict, and has backed within the 22-year-old to make an actual stand within the second week.
“It’s good that the younger gamers which might be approaching now,” the 11-time slam winner, together with two calendar grand slams, stated.
“There’s one man – I feel Korda. He beat Medvedev (on Friday night time). And I feel he’s the one who shall be certainly one of your subsequent champions on the market.
“There’s 4 or 5 others which might be 18 years of age, 19, they usually’re getting the expertise and attending to play down right here.”
Laver, who was ranked the highest participant on the planet for seven years straight and has extra profession titles than every other participant, stated Korda’s efficiency in opposition to Medvedev on Friday confirmed he had probably taken the following step.
“He’s been an ideal younger participant,” he stated.
“When you get previous taking part in a few of these also-ran gamers (it’s one factor), however then while you’re up in opposition to Medvedev, and you continue to carry out and compete – you’re ready to place the hassle in. I feel I see him going a great distance.”
Medvedev found the distinctive nature of Korda’s recreation first-hand, and described the younger gun as “one of many strongest hitters” in tennis.
“There are another guys taking part in like this, however they miss greater than him. And he didn’t miss that a lot,” the Russian stated.
“His recreation (is) form of totally different from everyone as a result of very aggressive and really early he takes the ball. A bit bit perhaps like Novak (Djokovic). However, yeah, properly, not each participant is able to doing that, in order that’s stunning and that.
“If I do it, I might be ranked 700 on the planet.”
Korda revealed after the pair’s conflict that he had been met with a textual content message from eight-time slam-winner Andre Agassi, who he credited with sparking his recreation into motion.
“He’s going to mattress now. That’s the very last thing he despatched me,” he stated.
“He’s some of the particular folks in my life. We began speaking throughout Covid in 2020.
“He’s been one of many greatest components in my rise. Simply total simply as a tennis participant, as a human being. We spend a number of time collectively.
“He’s very particular to me.”
Initially revealed as Australian Open 2023 day 7 reside scores, outcomes, schedule and order of play
