Marton Fucsovics edges Sebastian Korda at US Open five days after losing Winston-Salem clash
The Hungarian improved to 10-8 lifetime in five-setters Monday with his 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 victory.
LAST WEEK'S MATCH POINT: Korda wins in Winston-Salem
At last week’s Winston-Salem Open, Sebastian Korda beat Marton Fucsovics in straight sets to take their third-round meeting. Five days later, the American saw Fucsovics turn the tables in a brutal five-set affair on Day 1 of the US Open.
Fucsovics eliminated the No. 31 seed, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4, in four hours and 25 minutes on Court 11 Monday evening. Missed opportunities by Korda in the first set when the world No. 57 served at 5-5, 15-40, and later four break points across the Hungarian’s first two service games in the decider, contributed to the 23-year-old suffering the same first-round fate as he did at Wimbledon.
Korda had begun 2023 with such high hopes. He advanced to the Adelaide final, where he held championship point on Novak Djokovic, and backed that up with his first major quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. That hot start was hampered by a right wrist injury that emerged in his last-eight encounter with Karen Khachanov, a contest Korda wasn’t able to complete.
After needing the European clay-court swing to find his footing again upon returning to action, Korda posted a semifinal showing at London Queen’s. That surge was soon foiled by an opening loss to Jiri Vesely at SW19.
The Bradenton, Fla. native arrived at Flushing Meadows with new injury concerns after twisting his ankle in Winston-Salem. He battled through the precarious moment to win his quarterfinal over Richard Gasquet before deciding it was best not to continue in the tournament.
Fucsovics is no stranger to labor intensive contests. With his victory over Korda, he improved to 10-8 lifetime in five-setters.
The 31-year-old went the distance twice in Australia this season, winning his opener over Federico Coria and ultimately falling to Jannik Sinner from two sets up two rounds later. Fucsovics has now picked up wins at every major in 2023, though is looking to reach the second week for the first time since 2021 Wimbledon when he contested his maiden quarterfinal at a Grand Slam event.
Australia’s Rinky Hijikata awaits in the second round. The wild card fended off Pavel Kotov, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, in adding to the first-round victory he celebrated in January at his home major.