Wimbledon 2021: Sebastian Korda - does he get the quarterfinals for his 21st birthday?
Sebastian Korda was the only American to make it into the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2021. The son of the former Australian Open champion Petr celebrates his 21st birthday on “Manic Monday”. And meets Karen Khachanov .
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Jul 04, 2021, 08:30 am
The 21st birthday is special for young American men and women in that it marks the entry into the so-called “drinking age”. Whoever can look back on 21 more or less successfully completed years of life, according to US lawmakers, is trusted to be able to buy alcohol without accidents. Will Sebastian Korda, who will celebrate his 21st birthday tomorrow “Manic Monday”, be able to do so? Probably. After all, he has a father with Petr Korda who was socialized in the former Czechoslovakia. Where you can grab a small beer a few days earlier. But more important: Sebastian Korda will be listed as the only player from the USA in the men's table in the second week of Wimbledon 2021, regardless of his birthday.
The fact that Korda is represented there doesn't have to be classified as a big surprise. The youngster has already reached the final of an ATP Tour 250 tournament in Delray Beach this year, and won his first title a few weeks ago in Parma. So without submitting a sentence. But it is surprising that men like John Isner, Sam Querrey or, after his opening win against Stefanos Tsitsipas , Frances Tiafoe are missing in the 16-point grid.
Agassi takes Korda under his wing
Isner had to say goodbye to Yoshihito Nishioka in round one, a huge surprise given the basic playing facilities and requirements. Querrey, who defeated Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2016 and reached the final in Mallorca last week, lost to James Duckworth from Australia in round two. Tsitsipas conqueror Tiafoe ran out of breath in the third match against Karen Khachanov, Taylor Fritz fought well against Alexander Zverev at the same stage of the tournament a few weeks after a minor knee surgery.
However, only Sebastian Korda remained. Who has to deal with Karen Khachanov in the round of 16. It will be the first duel between the two, Korda does not necessarily go into the game as an outsider. What the barely 20-year-old is capable of, he showed in his most recent appearance against Daniel Evans: The Center Court in Wimbledon has probably already impressed him. What was particularly impressive, however, was the calm and the game intelligence with which Korda said goodbye to the local hero in four sentences.
Sebastian Korda showed no nerves in this match. Also thanks to Andre Agassi, who took him under his wing about a year ago. "We talk about what to do every day, before every match," said Korda after his win against Evans. “But the most important thing that Andre told me yesterday was: This will be the first match on Center Court for you. Enjoy it, accept it, have fun. ”That will also be the motto on Sebastian Korda's 21st birthday. Even if the match against Khachanov is "only" scheduled on Court 18.
Here is the men's single tableau
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