Daniil Medvedev victim of latest Australian Open upset as Sebastian Korda powers through to next round

ByEurosport

Updated 20/01/2023 at 14:39 GMT

After reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022, Daniil Medvedev is out of this year's edition of the tournament at the third-round stage following a humbling straight-sets defeat to American Sebastian Korda. Korda will face Hubert Hurkacz in round four. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.

Australian Open highlights - Korda stuns Medvedev in straight sets

Daniil Medvedev is out of the Australian Open at the third-round stage after a shock 7-6(7) 6-3 7-6(4) defeat to Sebastian Korda.

Medvedev, a losing finalist in Melbourne the last two years, was broken in his opening service game and a further two times in the first set as he was ultimately pushed to a tie-break by the American, who was able to seize the advantage.

Another early break in the second put Korda in control and he refused to look back as he grabbed a two-set lead.

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Once again at the start of the third, the Russian was unable to hold but showed some of the form that elevated him to No. 1 in the world 12 months earlier to come back and force another tie-break.

However, Korda held his nerve and advanced to the last 16 where he will face Hubert Hurkacz.

Medvedev had high hopes of going one better than 12 months ago, after losing to Rafael Nadal in an epic final in Melbourne, but his search for a second Grand Slam title goes on as Korda was a worthy winner in one minute short of three hours.

"I am thrilled right now,” Korda said. "I played amazing. It was an unbelievable match for me.”

Asked to comment on his gameplan, Korda said: "Just go for it!

"I love playing in Australia, my family loves playing in Australia so it is awesome,” Korda said in reference to his father, Petr, winning the Australian Open and his sisters, Nelly and Jessica, winning the Australian Open golf tournament

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Medvedev was comprehensively outplayed, as Korda dictated terms throughout the match.

Korda set out his stall early and led 4-1 in the opening set, but was forced to take the opener in a breaker, raising his game and dictating the pace and pattern of the points.

The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, with Korda working a break - much to the delight of the crowd.

Evening sessions in Melbourne are often rowdy, and Friday night on Rod Laver Arena was no different. With the scoreboard against him, Medvedev became extremely agitated and railed at the umpire - demanding some vociferous spectators be ejected.

The agitation of his opponent did not impact Korda, who held firm to take a two-set lead.

Korda was now a set from victory, but you would not have known it as he carried on with the same gameplan. He worked an early break of serve in the third to reinforce his dominance.

At 4-3 and up a break in the third, Korda had a peek at the winning line in front of him and saw his serve broken by Medvedev.

For the first time in the contest, Medvedev had a foothold but he was unable to work a second break of serve as the set went to a breaker.

Korda remained on the front foot and worked a couple of mini-breaks to take a stranglehold on the breaker.

He meekly coughed up the first match point on his own serve, but closed out the match at the second time of asking - with it being somewhat appropriate that a forehand down the line painted the line for a clean winner.