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World no. 26 Sebastian Korda is still not ready to compete again! The young American withdrew from the ATP 250 event in Estoril, missing the start of the clay swing and extending his period of bad luck. Sebastian missed Indian Wells and Miami due to an ongoing wrist injury, and he needs more time to heal it and get back to 100%.
Korda made a great start to the season, 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 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.
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 has missed all the action since the Australian Open.
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 that could have sent him in front.
Sebastian claimed four straight points from 30-0 down in the eighth game to level the score at 4-4 and increase the drama. 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 celebrate the title and a perfect start to the season. 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. Korda is yet to compete again, missing all the action in February and skipping the season's first Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.
Sebastian wished to compete again in Estoril, but that was not possible. Korda was the Estoril semi-finalist a year ago, toppling Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-final and setting the semi-final clash with Frances Tiafoe.
Sebastian had everything in his hands, leading 6-4, 5-2 before missing three match points in a heartbreaking 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 loss in two hours and 55 minutes.