Korda keeps coming! In-form American downs Zverev, reaches Montreal SFs

  • Posted: Aug 11, 2024

Sebastian Korda’s summer surge continued on Sunday at the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers, where the in-form American upset second seed Alexander Zverev to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.

Korda prevailed 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4 against World No. 4 Zverev for his eighth straight tour-level match win and just his second in 14 encounters with Top 5 opponents in the PIF ATP Rankings. The American dealt with the blustery conditions in Montreal better than his opponent, whose victory bid was undermined by 11 double faults, including one to give up a decisive break in the ninth game of the deciding set.

“It means a lot. It’s been a tough year before the US hard-court swing,” said Korda in his post-match interview. “I‘ve just put in a lot of work, and I’m so happy with the results right now. I’m just really enjoying my time on court. Having fun, trying to play aggressive, keep doing my thing, and hope for the best.”

The 24-year-old Korda, who last week won his second Tour title and first at ATP 500 level in Washington, D.C, will now prepare for a quick turnaround before his semi-final. The American faces Alexei Popyrin, who upset Hubert Hurkacz in another rain-delayed clash, in a match scheduled for not before 8 p.m. local time on Sunday evening.

Korda twice kept his cool to halt some serious Zverev momentum in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter. He rallied from 1-4 down in the opening set before going onto clinch it in a tie-break, and then responded admirably in the decider after his powerful German opponent had charged to the second set.

Zverev struggled for rhythm on his second serve, particularly in the first and third sets, and Korda finished the match having won 67 per cent (22/33) of points on second-serve return, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He showed no sign of nerves to serve out for a last-four spot.

“I’ve had good preparation for the US hard-court swing and physically I am doing well,” said Korda. “I’m healthy, that’s probably the main thing for me. To stay healthy, and just have fun on court. When I do that, I feel like I can play some pretty good tennis.”

Korda’s only previous Masters 1000 semi-final appearance came in Shanghai last October. After matching that run in Canada, the 24-year-old is up three spots to No. 15 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. He would rise to a career-high No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings if he can lift the title on Monday night.

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Popyrin stepped on court against Hurkacz on Sunday afternoon having lost all six previous sets he had played against the Pole. Yet the World No. 62 held firm for a 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 victory to become the lowest-ranked semi-finalist at the Canadian Masters 1000 event since the then-No. 143 Denis Shapovalov in 2017.

Although Hurkacz saved a remarkable 17 of 20 break points he faced in the match, Popyrin capitalised on a below-par service game from his opponent to clinch a crucial break in the 11th game of the decider. The 25-year-old Australian is now into his fourth tour-level semi-final and first above ATP 250 level.

Popyrin is up 22 spots to No. 40 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings following his run. He rose to a career-high No. 38 in February, but he will better that if he reaches the final.

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