Korda Clinches Shot At Sonego In Parma

  • Posted: May 25, 2021

Andreas Seppi had revenge on his mind on Tuesday at the Emilia-Romagna Open, but Sebastian Korda wouldn’t let the home favourite get it, defeating the veteran 6-3, 6-4.

The American, who also beat Seppi in four sets at Roland Garros last year, advanced to the second round, in which he will play top seed Lorenzo Sonego for a spot in the quarter-finals.

“I’m excited. It’s another great experience for me. He’s playing some really good tennis,” Korda said in his on-court interview. “He made the semi-finals of Rome, which is massive. [I am] looking forward to it and hope that it’s going to be a good match.”

Seppi had not competed since March and Korda took advantage, breaking the Italian’s serve four times to triumph after one hour and 22 minutes. The #NextGenATP star has now won five of his six sets against the former World No. 18. 

Korda lost his serve twice in the second set, but he was able to overcome those tough moments and avoid going to a decider. After grabbing the deciding break at 4-4, the 20-year-old got a visit from the trainer to look at his upper left leg. But Korda had no problem serving out the match, hitting a perfect forehand lob to earn his first match point, which he converted when Seppi missed a return.

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In other action, lucky loser Norbert Gombos battled past Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3 after two hours and 53 minutes. The Slovakian will try to upset third seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the next round.

Czech lefty Jiri Vesely also moved on by eliminating American Steve Johnson 7-6(7), 6-2.

Did You Know?
In his Roland Garros debut last year, Korda qualified — including a final-round qualifying victory against Aslan Karatsev — and reached the fourth round of the main draw.

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