Defending champion Rafael Nadal defeated American qualifier Sebastian Korda 6-1 6-1 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open on Sunday as he aims to clinch a record 13th title at Roland Garros.
It was smooth sailing for Nadal after the opening game. Korda’s return hit the net after he earned a break point with a cross-court backhand winner and Nadal dismissed it with a body serve. In a second break chance, the American hit a forehand winner, but Nadal hit that too with a body serve.
However, Korda isn’t all heartbroken after his defeat. The 213th-ranked Korda is the youngest American man to make it to the fourth round in Roland Garros since 1991.
The 20-year-old said that it was “super awesome”, and also asked Nadal for an autographed shirt after the match.
Korda, whose father Petr won the 1998 Australian Open and a runner up at the 1992 French Open, also received praise from Nadal at the post-match press conference when the 19-time grand slam champion predicted a “very good future” for the American.
Nadal has dropped only 23 games so far. He will next face Italian teenager Jannick Sinner who defeated Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.
Sinner, who beat Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, is the first debutant to reach the French Open quarterfinals since 2005. He is also the youngest male player since Novak Djokovic in 2006 to feature in the last eight at Roland Garros.
The 19-year-old, winner of last year’s NextGen ATP Finals, dropped a set for the first time in the tournament, but kept his composure to make his way into the quarterfinal. He ended the match with a booming forehand that Zverev could only return into the net.
Zverev has complained of a slight fever and shortness of breath after his loss, adding that he “shouldn’t have played”.
Sinner confirmed he didn’t have any symptoms of a fever and hoped that he won’t for his quarterfinal contest with Nadal.
