By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, October 1, 2023
Sebastian Korda cracked 12 aces defeating top-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the Astana Open semifinals.
Photo credit: Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Facebook
Sebastian Korda continues lighting up a semifinal surge.
Korda cracked 12 aces defeating top-seeded Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the Astana Open semifinals.
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It's the second straight semifinal for Korda, who reached the final four in Zhuhai last week. Korda has contested semifinals in three of his last four tournament starts.
The second serve was key for Korda: He won 20 of 28 second-serve points and saved two of three break points in a one hour, 41-minute victory.
World No. 28 Korda will play for his sixth career final, including his second title match of 2023, when he faces Serbian wild card Hamad Medjedovic for a spot in the final.
The 120th-ranked Medjedovic surprised fourth-seeded Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, to secure a spot in his second semifinal of the season.
“Honestly, it feels amazing,” Medjedovic said. “It’s an amazing feeling to be in the semi-finals of Astana. It’s my second ATP 250 semi-final, but I think this one feels pretty special because I beat very good players and especially on indoor hard courts.
"I’m very happy with the win and let’s try to win some more matches.”
The 20-year-old Serbian will face Korda for the first time with a spot in the final on the line.
In an all-Austrian clash, Sebastian Ofner converted three of 15 break points fighting off Dominic Thiem 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. It was Ofner's first win in four career meetings vs. the 2020 US Open champion.
World No. 58 Ofner will play for his first career final against French left-hander Adrian Mannarino.
The sixth-seeded Mannarino saved 11 set points in the second set stopping Austrian Jurij Rodionov 6-1, 7-6(6).
The 35-year-old Mannarino, who won his third career title on the grass of Newport last July, is playing for his 14th career final.