Home/Tennis

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Ranked 87th in the World, 20-year-old Sebastian Korda is the only surviving American at the Miami Open 2021. While Korda has successfully caused a stir at the tournament, he has now also earned the attention of retired American, Andy Roddick.

In a recent interview, the former World No. 1 and 2003 US Open champion picked his ideal choice for the ongoing Miami Masters, and Roddick named Sebastian Korda as the player he is keeping his eyes on.

Read More: “Tough, Very Tough”: Kei Nishikori Gives Details About the Conditions at Miami Open 2021

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Andy Roddick on Sebastian Korda as the new American find

To build some context, the interview with Roddick happened after the 20-year-old Korda upset the 17th seed Aslan Karatsev in the third round in straight sets. The American dominated the Russian, crushing him 6-3, 6-0.

USA Today via Reuters

Korda’s next opponent was the fifth seed and World No. 9 Diego Schwartzman from Argentina. For this reason, Roddick believed that the match would decide whether Korda would be the next big American star or not.

He said, “My eyes are on Seb Korda; I love this story. I want to see if we have the next guy. Schwartzman, a big test; he is not gonna give away any chance for Korda to put another Top 10 win.”

Furthermore, Roddick added that he wanted to witness how Korda would handle different matchups, different scenarios, and different physicalities. Also, he mentioned that the 28-year-old Argentine would put up a tough challenge for Korda.

“Obviously, Schwartzman is going to put him through the wringer; there will be no easy points. I want to see how he handles it tomorrow,” Roddick concluded.

The next day, the young American outclassed the Argentinian and booked a quarterfinals seat in Miami. Not to mention, the matchup was a total entertainer, and Korda defeated Schwartzman 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

Read More: “My Dosage of Inspiration”: Stefanos Tsitsipas Reveals His Liking for Will Smith

Who will Korda play next at the Miami Open 2021?

Following Schwartzman, Korda will meet fourth seed and World No. 8 Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. It will be interesting to see if he can float effortlessly against the in-form Russian.

USA Today via Reuters

However, Korda’s Miami story is a stepping stone for what is to come in the future. Apart from him, the Italian teenager Jannik Sinner is also in the last eight in Miami.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Do you think Sebastian Korda will create an upset for Rublev in Miami?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Also Read: Father Wolfgang Reveals Novak Djokovic Asked Dominic Thiem to Play Serbian Open 2021