Three months after undergoing right wrist surgery, Sebastian Korda is back in the winning circle! The young American will seek his third ATP title in Adelaideat the same eventhe could have celebrated two years ago against the legend!
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Korda reached the 2023 Adelaide final and faced Novak Djokovic. The American wasted a match point in a heartbreaking 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 loss in three hours and nine minutes! The Serb saved a match point in the 12th game of the second set with a smash winner.
He stole the tie break and outplayed the young gun in the closing stages of thedecider, securing his 92nd ATP title and matching Rafael Nadal.
Two rivals battled for 73 minutes in the first set, presenting a roller coaster! Sebastian challenged Novak and denied two set points, claiming the first part of the duel after a thriller. The encounter kicked off with eight comfortable holds.
Sebastian made a push on the return in the ninth game and cracked a backhand down the line winner for a break and the advantage. Korda earned three set points on serve at 5-4. He squandered them and lost five straight points to keep Djokovic in contention.
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The American faced aset pointon serve in the 12th game, saving itand introducing a tie break. Sebastian led 3-0 and 5-2 before Novak bounced back and saved two set points for 6-6 and more drama. The American saved the second set point at 6-7.
Finally, Korda converted his seventh set point at 9-8 to gain a massive boost of confidence. They both served well in the opening 11 games of the second set. Novak served to stay in the match at 5-6 and experienced a set point.
He saved it with a smash winner and held, arranging another tie break. The Serb clinched it 7-3 after a reliable performance, forcing a decider after two hours and 17 minutes. Korda saved two break points in the fourth game of the decider.
The American climbed back from 0-30 in the eighth game for 4-4 and more drama. Novak grabbed the ninth game after a deuce with a backhand winner and made a push on the return at 5-4. Sebastian lost the ground at the pivotal moment.
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The young gun squandered game points and missed a smash to face a match point. Djokovic seized it and started a massive celebration following a titanic battle. Korda will have another chance to lift a trophy in Adelaide.
He defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in the semi-final and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the title clash.
