Korda Survives Medjedovic Test, Reaches Astana Final

Is this the week Sebastian Korda wins his first tour-level title of the season?

The American survived a major test at the Astana Open on Monday when he defeated #NextGenATP Serbian Hamad Medjedovic 6-7(8), 7-6(2), 7-6(3) to reach the final.

Korda was pushed by the wild card, who took big cuts at the ball to push the American from side to side. Korda remained strong on serve, though. He hit 18 aces and won 87 per cent (66/76) of his first-serve points to remain in contention, finding consistency in the third-set tie-break to advance after two hours and 49 minutes.

The 23-year-old, who lifted his only previous tour-level title in Parma in 2021, will meet Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the championship match on Tuesday.

By reaching the final at the ATP 250, Korda has matched his best result of the season. He also advanced to the title match in Adelaide in January, when he held championship point against Novak Djokovic before falling. Korda is up three spots to No. 25 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, matching his previous career-high.

Medjedovic was competing in his second tour-level semi-final after advancing to the last four in Gstaad. The 20-year-old is up to eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Jeddah following his run in Kazakhstan.

Mannarino continued his career-best season, defeating Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-2 to earn his 36th win of the year after 71 minutes. The Frenchman, who recorded a previous best 33 wins in 2017, is chasing his second title of 2023 this week, having triumphed in Newport.

The 35-year-old is up seven places to No. 27 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings following his victory.