Tsitsipas overcomes Korda challenge to reach third round in Cincinnati

The World No 3 will face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the third round of the Western & Southern Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts during the Olympic Games

Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Singles – Round 2 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts during his second round match against Frances Tiafoe of the United States REUTERS/Edgar Su

Haresh Ramchandani

August 19, 2021

World No 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a close first set against young American Sebastian Korda before winning in straight sets at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday evening.

The second seed from Greece needed one hour and 39 minutes to defeat 21-year-old Korda, ranked 45th in the world, and book his spot in the last 32 where he will meet Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

Tennis Majors

Sonego defeated American qualifier Tommy Paul 7-6(9), 6-2 earlier in the day and will be hoping to avenge his straight sets loss to Tsitsipas in Miami earlier this year when they meet on Thursday evening.

Tsitsipas has posted a 45-13 record this year coming into Cincinnati; his season highlighted by reaching his first Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros and winning titles in Monte-Carlo and Lyon.