By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Saturday, June 15, 2024
Sebastian Korda did not face a break point defeating defending champion Tallon Griekspoor to power into his first final of the season at the Libéma Open.
Photo credit:Libéma Open Facebook
Sebastian Korda gave Tallon Griekspoor few second chances on his second delivery to reach his first final of the year.
World No. 26 Korda did not face a break point dethroning defending champion and home hero Griekspoor 6-2, 6-4 to charge into his first final of the season on the grass of 's-Hertogenbosch.
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It is Korda's seventh career final, first title match since the 2023 Astana and his maiden final on grass.
The seventh-seeded Korda will play Aussie Alex de Minaur for the title.
In today's second semifinal, the top-seeded de Minaur stopped third-seeded French left-hander Ugo Humbert 7-6(4), 6-3 to advance to his 17th ATP final, including his third on grass.
De Minaur, who owns an 8-8 career finals record, is playing for his second title of the season following his title run in Acapulco.
The 2021 Eastbourne champion de Minaur has won two of three meetings vs. Korda, though the American won their lone grass clash in the 2021 Wimbledon first round.
Korda carries a 1-5 career finals record into the championship match. The 23-year-old Korda is playing for his first title since the 2021 Parma on red clay.
Today, Korda controlled the center of the court and dictated play on serve.
The seventh-seeded Korda served 65 percent, pumping 5 aces and won 13 of 16 second-serve points. Overall, Korda dropped just nine points on serve in a 64-minute sweep.
Korda is the first American to reach the 's-Hertogenbosch final since Richey Reneberg in 1995.