By Erik Gudris | Friday, July 2, 2021
The rapid rise of 20-year-old American Sebastian Korda continues as he passed another career milestone—reaching the second week of Wimbledon for the first time.
A feat even more impressive since it’s during Korda’s debut at the grass-court major.
Korda knocked out British No. 1 and No. 22 seed Dan Evans 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in their third round meeting on Centre Court.
“A big achievement,” Korda described reaching the second week in his post-match interview. “A year ago I was 220 in the world. And now I’m here in the fourth round of Wimbledon.
"It’s incredible. I have my family to thank, my coaches and everybody around me.”
Korda, currently ranked No. 50 in the world, continues to climb the rankings since he turned pro back in 2018. With a rock-solid two-handed backhand and a stoic demeanor on court, many have tipped him to possibly become the top-ranked American man very soon.
At age 20, Korda is now the youngest American man to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon since Andy Roddick did so at the same age back in 2003.
Back in April, Korda won his first ATP tour title in Parma and reached the finals of Delray Beach in January. His sister Nelly recently won the Women’s PGA Golf Championships. And of course, his father, Petr Korda, won the Australian Open title in 1998.
Despite playing a local favorite on Centre Court for the very first time, Korda did not look at all unnerved by the proceedings.
Korda broke Evans in the first set for a 5-3 lead before sealing the set later 6-3 with a forehand volley winner.
Evans took control in the second set with help from errors from Korda midway through the set. Evans levelled the match soon at a set each.
Korda took the third set, but Evans later opened up a 4-2 lead in the fourth set. Yet the World No. 26 Evans dropped serve in the next game. Korda eventually tied at 4-all and did not look back from there, as he finished off the match with a smash winner after nearly two hours and a half of match play.
“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,” Korda said.
Evans, who suffered his third third-round loss at The Championships, conceded Korda played more assertive tennis.
“I just think maybe I was a little defensive, let him play the tennis," Evans said. "But, you know, that probably would have been my frustration last time I lost in 2019. So, yeah, it's difficult. He plays good tennis.
"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. That's not going to, that's not the best version of myself, yeah.”
This is Korda’s best showing at a major since reaching the same round at the French Open last year. He will face No. 25 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia in the next round for a chance to reach the quarterfinals.
If Korda wins, he will match his father, Petr Korda, and his same best performance at Wimbledon when he reached the last eight back in 1998. Petr Korda was in the player box today encouraging his son and received a post-match thumbs-up from Sebastian.
Photo credit: Getty