A debate has been raging within the Korda family for some time: which product of this Czech-American talent factory is the worst?
Sebastian Korda has claimed that title in the past. His sister Nelly thinks otherwise: “He doesn’t talk shit,” she said last year.
Well, such results don’t help her argument. Korda, now ranked No. 16 in the world, is one of five American men in the top 20.
All hoped that the 21-year wait for a male US Open champion from the country would end. But on Thursday, Korda became the first to fall.
By the time Armstrong gets one foot out the door, fans will still be streaming out of the subway, through the gates of Flushing Meadows and up the steps of Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Sebastian Korda was defeated in the second round of the US Open by Czech Tomas Machac
He struggled with an elbow injury, for which he had to undergo treatment several times. Czech Tomas Machac also had a hard time.
The American was first in both the first and third sets, but on both occasions he was defeated by the world number 39.
Korda lost 6-4 6-3 6-4 in just over two hours, much to the disappointment of the home crowd – and his star-class international.
The 24-year-old’s father, Petr, is a former Australian Open champion who rose to world number two. Korda’s mother was also adept on the court.
Regina Rajchrtova reached a career high of No. 26 in the world rankings and sat next to her son’s girlfriend – Ivana Nedved – on Thursday. Yes, the daughter of former soccer star Pavel Nedved.
Nelly Korda is now by far the best female golfer in the world, while her older sister Jessica has won six times on the LPGA Tour.
Sebastian’s hopes of adding to the family’s trophy cabinet are over for the next two weeks. Incredibly, this is still Korda’s joint deepest run at the US Open.
His main-draw record now stands at three first-round exits, two second-round defeats. He reached a first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2023 Australian Open, but has not advanced beyond the third round of a major since.
Against Machac, Korda had been struggling with injuries for a long time, and halfway through the second set he requested a medical time-out.
Medics applied spray and tape to his right arm to ease the pain. They were back on court in the third set, after Korda took matters into his own hands – stretching his arm against the screen behind the baseline.
Korda was swearing at himself between games and there was also clear concern in his box, but Korda still gave himself chances to save this match.
He broke early in the third period and led 4-1 before Machac turned the tide. The world number 39 broke back – after Korda took a nasty fall – and then closed out the match.
The American lost five games in a row before leaving the court to reflect on what was to come – and where he now stands on the family tree.
