A debate has raged within the Korda family for some time – which product of this Czech-American talent factory is the worst athlete?
Sebastian Korda has laid claim to that title in the past. His sister Nelly has other ideas: ‘He’s full of s***,’ she said last year. ‘Honestly, he’s the best.’
Well, results like this don’t help her argument. Korda, now the world No 16, is one of five American men ranked inside the top 20.
All had hopes of ending the country’s 21-year wait for a male US Open champion. On Thursday, however, Korda was the first of them to fall.
Supporters will still pouring off the subway, through the gates of Flushing Meadows and up the stairs into Louis Armstrong Stadium by the time the 16th seed had one foot out the door.
Sebastian Korda was beaten in the US Open second round by Czechia’s Tomas Machac
The American – ranked No 16 in the world – struggled with an elbow injury on Louis Armstrong
He struggled with an injury to his elbow – needing treatment more than once – and he struggled with Czechia’s Tomas Machac, too.
The American drew first blood in both the opening and third sets but both times he was pegged by the world No 39.
Korda lost 6-4 6-3 6-4 in a little over two hours, much to the disappointment of the home crowd – and his star-studded box.
The 24-year-old’s father, Petr, is a former Australian Open champion who reached No 2 in the world. Korda’s mother was handy across the court, too.
Regina Rajchrtova reached a career-high ranking of world No 26 and on Thursday she sat beside her son’s girlfriend -Ivana Nedved. Yep, the daughter of former soccer star Pavel Nedved.
Machac overcame Korda 6-4 6-3 6-4 in a little over two hours on Thursday afternoon
The 24-year-old is dating Ivana Nedved – the daughter of former soccer star Pavel Nedved
Nelly Korda, meanwhile, is the best female golfer in the world – by some distance – while older sister Jessica is a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour.
Sebastian’s hopes of adding to the family’s trophy cabinet are over for this fortnight. Incredibly, though, this still represents Korda’s joint-deepest run at the US Open.
His main-draw record here now reads: three first-round exits, two second-round defeats. He reached a first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2023 Australian Open but has failed to go beyond the third round of any major since.
Against Machac, Korda was battling injury for long periods. Midway through the second set, he called a medical timeout.
Medics applied spray and tape to Korda’s right arm as he struggled with the elbow injury
The American broke early in the third and led 4-1 before Machac won five consecutive games
Medics applied spray and tape to his right arm in a bid to ease the pain. They were back on court in the third set, after Korda had taken matters in his own hands – stretching his arm against the screen behind the baseline.
Korda berated himself between games and there was obvious concern in his box, too. But still Korda gave himself chances to rescue this match.
He broke early in the third and led 4-1 before Machac turned the tide. The world No 39 broke back – after Korda took a nasty tumble – and then closed out the match.
The American lost five straight games before bolting from the court to contemplate what comes next – and where he now sits in the family tree.
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