A clash of NextGen stars felt a little like a mirror ball match to Jannik Sinner.
The 19-year-old Sinner rallied from a 2-5 double-break deficit in the second set stopping 21-year-old Sebastian Korda to reach the Citi Open quarterfinals in Washington, DC.
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It was the first meeting between two young players Rafael Nadal has hit with and predicts can challenge for Grand Slams as they mature.
Sinner said facing Korda was a bit like playing a stylistic twin.
"Obviously it has been a tough match, because, you know, we never practiced together. We never played match, so it was kind of new for both of us," Sinner said. "Very similar game style so that what I think trying to, like the last time, trying to sticking to my game plan, trying to serve well in the important moments, you know, trying to have a good balance on court, which I think today was okay."
Korda built a 5-2 second-set lead and twice failed to serve out the second set. Sinner picked up his play in the second-set tie breaker improving to 26-14 on the season.
"When you're down 5-2, double break, he was playing better that moments. I tried to find a solution as soon as possible," Sinner said. "Even maybe if we go in the third set, I tried already something, which I think from the return side, from the right side, from the deuce side, I changed a little bit something, and 5-2 is, you know, everyone thinks it's easy, but it's not that easy to close it out.
"There is a little bit of pressure. When I made the break, for me it was important to let him serve out on 5-4. If he's serving well, okay, that's it, but if not, trying to play a lot of balls in the court."
It was the first meeting between rising young stars, but wasn't their last time sharing the court today. Sinner and Korda returned to action as doubles partners playing Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe.
The 24th-ranked Italian will play American Stevie Johnson for a semifinal spot in the wide-open bottom half of the Citi Open draw.
Photo credit: Christopher Levy