By Erik Gudris | Saturday, May 29, 2011
Twenty-year-old Sebastian Korda claims Parma title and becomes the first U.S. man to win on European clay in 11 years.
Photo credit: @meftennisevents
Like father, Like son.
The Korda family can now claim two ATP champions as 20-year-old Sebastian Korda won his maiden ATP singles title at the Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma, Italy.
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Korda concluded a stellar tournament by not dropping a set all week. That included Saturday’s final where he defeated Italy’s own Marco Cecchinato 6-2, 6-4.
Jessica Korda, his sister and LPGA golf pro, celebrated her brother’s victory.
The fast-rising young American is quickly following in the footsteps of his father Petr Korda who saw success throughout the 1990’s. Petr Korda, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world, won 10 career singles titles, including the 1998 Australian Open, where he defeated Marcelo Rios in straight sets.
Korda’s title run in Parma makes him the first U.S. man to win a title on European clay in 11 years since Sam Querrey won Belgrade back in 2010.
Korda took control of the final early over his opponent Cecchinato, a former Roland Garros semifinalist. The American wrapped up the first set 6-2.
Korda saved the lone break point Cecchinato held against him midway through the second set. Korda, leading 5-4, soon held two match points. Korda converted on the second match point by ripping a backhand down the line return winner to seal the victory.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to win my first title here in Parma,” Korda said during the trophy ceremony. “This is my girlfriend’s first tournament and it’s my first title, so we have to travel more often.”
With the victory, Korda is expected to move inside the ATP top 50 rankings for the first time in his career. He is now 1-1 in ATP finals, having lost in Delray Beach to Herbert Hurkacz earlier this year.
Korda will face Spain’s Pedro Martinez in the first round of Roland Garros next week.
The Kordas are now the third father-son duo to win ATP tour level singles titles in the Open Era. They join Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan and Phil and Taylor Dent.