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World no. 28 Sebastian Korda is ready to compete again after staying away from the court for three months due to an injury. The young American injured his wrist at the Australian Open and spoiled a notable start to the season, missing a chance to add points to his tally and fight for a place in the top-20.
Sebastian has entered the next week's Madrid Masters 1000 event as the 22nd seed, facing Diego Schwartzman or a qualifier in the second round. Korda missed Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Estoril due to a wrist injury, not rushing anything and wanting to return at 100%.
Korda made a great start this year, winning eight out of ten matches and playing at a high level in Adelaide and Melbourne. The young gun reached the Adelaide final and pushed Novak Djokovic to the limits. They battled for three hours and nine minutes before Djokovic prevailed 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, fending off a match point in the second set to lift the trophy.
Sebastian saved two set points in the opener and claimed it 7-6 after 73 minutes! Djokovic produced five comfortable holds in the second set before facing a match point at 5-6. The Serb denied it with a smash winner and held to introduce the second tie break.
Novak clinched it 7-3 to force a decider after two hours and 17 minutes.
Sebastian Korda will play his first tournament in three months in Madrid.
Djokovic had no issues behind the initial shot in the opening four service games, playing well and missing two break chances in the fourth game.
Novak held after deuce in game nine, placing a backhand winner to move 5-4 up and force the rival to serve to stay in the match. Korda wasted game points before missing a smash and offering Djokovic a match point. Novak converted it to leave the young gun empty-handed.
Sebastian carried his form to the Australian Open and defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the third round. The young American ousted Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round after a thriller to advance into the last eight.
Sebastian met Karen Khachanov in the quarter-final and retired due to a wrist injury in the third set. After staying away from the court for three months, Sebastian will seek more wins in Caja Magica. Korda debuted in the Madrid Masters main draw a year ago and beat his compatriot Reilly Opelka in the first round.
Lorenzo Musetti halted Korda's progress in the second round, defeating him in straight sets. The American will seek a better run in the following two weeks, eager to return to his best and continue where he left off in January.