Canada Sport News

Sebastian Korda wins DC Open title, following in father's footsteps to achieve family double
  • news
    •

    Sebastian Korda wins DC Open title, following in father’s footsteps to achieve family double

    WASHINGTON — Sebastian Korda completed a father-son double Sunday night in the Mubadala Citi DC Open for his second ATP Tour title.

    Thirty-two years after father Petr won the then-Sovran Bank Classic, the fourth-seeded Korda beat 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 in a match delayed at the start because of rain.

    They are the first father-son tandem to win the same ATP Tour event.

    “We have a lot of history with this tournament,” Korda said during the trophy presentation. “Obviously, one of my biggest goals was one day coming here and hopefully winning the tournament and putting my name up there on the stadium. Now that I have the opportunity, this is probably the most special moment of my career so far.”

    The 24-year-old Korda, a six-foot-five right-hander, is the younger brother of golf stars Nelly and Jessica Korda. His mother, Regina Rajchrtova, played on the WTA Tour.

    “Proud is an understatement,” Jessica Korda said in a retweet of a video showing her brother lifting the trophy.

    Korda is the first American to win the Washington event since Andy Roddick in 2007. His previous victory came in May 2021 in the Emilia-Romagna Open, an ATP 250 tournament. He will jump to a career-high 18th on Monday when the new ranking comes out.

    In the women’s final, Paula Badosa of Spain won her first title following a back injury, beating Marie Bouzkova of Czechia 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in a rain-interrupted match.

    The 26-year-old Badosa, ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, was sidelined for six months last year because of a stress fracture.

    “One year ago I was on the couch, so it’s a big difference now,” Badosa said. “Now I’m an athlete again.”

    She has four WTA Tour victories, also winning in 2021 at Belgrade and Indian Wells and in January 2002 in Sydney.

    “I was really, really nervous because I really wanted it really bad,” Badosa said.

    The match was delayed twice because of rain. On Saturday in the semifinals, Bouzkova rallied to beat top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 after a long weather delay in the third set.

    Bouzkova was playing her first WTA 500 final. She won her lone career title in 2022 in Prague.

    More from Sportsnet
    Top-seeded Sabalenka falls to Bouzkova in DC Open semifinals after weather delay


    Canada’s Denis Shapovalov eliminated in Washington via disqualification

    Sebastian Korda, the 21-year-old rising star in the world of tennis, has made headlines once again by winning the DC Open title. This victory not only marks a significant milestone in his young career but also solidifies his place as a player to watch in the future.

    What makes Korda’s win even more special is the fact that he is following in his father’s footsteps. His father, Petr Korda, was a former professional tennis player who won the Australian Open in 1998. With Sebastian’s win at the DC Open, the Korda family has achieved a rare feat of a father-son duo both winning prestigious tennis titles.

    Sebastian Korda’s journey to success has been nothing short of impressive. He turned professional in 2018 and has steadily climbed up the rankings since then. Known for his powerful serve and aggressive playing style, Korda has already caught the attention of tennis fans and experts alike.

    In the final match of the DC Open, Korda faced tough competition but managed to come out on top with his skillful play and determination. His win not only showcases his talent on the court but also highlights his mental strength and ability to perform under pressure.

    With this victory, Korda has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis. Many are now looking forward to seeing what else he can achieve in his career and whether he can continue to build on his success.

    As Sebastian Korda continues to make a name for himself in the tennis world, one thing is clear – he is a player with immense potential and a bright future ahead of him. With his recent win at the DC Open, he has shown that he is more than capable of carrying on his family’s legacy and making a name for himself in the sport.