Sebastian Korda is making a strong impression at the ongoing Miami Open, demonstrating talent reminiscent of his father, much to the delight of American tennis fans. The 24-year-old has been delivering impressive performances, exceeding expectations and showcasing his skill on the court.
Korda began his tournament campaign with a convincing straight-sets victory over fellow American and wildcard entrant Eliot Spizzirri. His next challenge was a much tougher one—taking on ninth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas. The young American displayed remarkable composure and tactical play to defeat the Greek star in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.
In the Round of 16, Korda faced former World No. 6, French tennis veteran Gael Monfils. He made a strong start, winning the first set 6-4. However, Monfils responded with a dominant 6-2 win in the second, forcing a decisive third set. Korda remained focused and held his nerve, securing a thrilling 6-4 victory to advance to the quarterfinals, where he is set to face none other than Novak Djokovic.
During his match, Korda had the support of his sister, Jessica Korda, a six-time LPGA Tour winner. She attended the Miami Open alongside her husband, Johnny DelPrete, and their young son, Greyson John DelPrete. Jessica shared a snapshot from the event, captioning it humorously as “Sleeping Beauty during Uncle Sebi’s match,” referring to her son sleeping during the game. She had also reposted a congratulatory message from the ATP Tour celebrating her brother’s hard-fought victory over Monfils, showing her pride in his achievements.
One notable absence in the stands was their younger sister, Nelly Korda, the World No. 1 golfer on the LPGA Tour. She is currently preparing for the Ford Championship in Arizona and has yet to secure a title this year. Having skipped the Asian leg of the tour, she is likely focused on her upcoming event but will still be cheering for her brother from afar.
Korda’s quarterfinal against Djokovic is a highly anticipated clash. This will be their second meeting, with their first encounter taking place in the final of the Adelaide International 1 at the start of the 2023 season. Korda had an impressive run in that tournament, defeating notable players such as Andy Murray and Jannik Sinner before reaching the final. Against Djokovic, he made an early statement by winning the first set via a tiebreaker. However, the Serbian legend showcased his resilience, claiming the second set in a tiebreaker and then securing a 6-4 victory in the third set, denying Korda his first ATP 250 title.
Now, with more experience under his belt, Korda has another opportunity to challenge Djokovic. The question remains: Can he capitalize on his previous experience and cause an upset, or will Djokovic’s dominance on the court once again prove too much to overcome?