By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, January 5, 2023
Sebastian Korda won nine of the last 10 games sweeping Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-1 to set up an Adelaide semifinal vs. Yoshihito Nishioka.
Photo credit: Sarah Reed/Getty
In a clash of talented, young shotmakers Sebastian Korda had the final word.
Korda rolled through nine of the last 10 games stopping Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-1 to power into the Adelaide International semifinals.
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Korda fought off three set points serving at 4-5. That stand sparked Korda, who won eight of the last 10 points of the opening set to take a one-set lead.
The 22-year-old Korda converted five of nine break-point chances avenging a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) loss to Sinner in their lone prior meeting at the 2021 Washington, DC tournament.
It was Korda's 11th win in 14 matches since the start of October.
The 33rd-ranked Korda has not dropped a set in tournament wins over former world No. 1 Andy Murray, Roberto Bautista Agut and Sinner.
The 2018 Australian Open boys' champion Korda will meet Yoshihito Nishioka for a place in the Adelaide final.
Earlier, the 36th-ranked Nishioka ended Aussie qualifier Alexei Popyrin's run with a 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 6-2 victory that spanned two hours, 46 minutes. Popyrin saved two match points in the second set to force a decider, but Nishioka snatched a 3-0 lead in the final set and never looked back.