Australian Open: Sebastian Korda beats Hubert Hurkacz to reach quarterfinal

American rising star Sebastian Korda reached the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his fledgling career after battling through a thrilling five-setter to beat Poland’s No.10 seed Hubert Hurkacz at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old, from Florida, entered the match a heavy underdog, but found himself up two sets to one and with a brilliant chance to seal a win.

She lost the fourth set 6-1 and then looked set for a heartbreaking loss after losing momentum, but an upside-down clash ultimately ended in her favor after a grueling tiebreaker in the decider.

Sebastian Korda of the USA celebrates after defeating Hubert Hurkacz of Poland

The young American showed raw emotion after winning a fifth set tiebreak in Melbourne.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Hurkacz, who won the third and fourth sets to force a fifth.

Korda had only reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam, in Australia, France and Wimbledon, but this time he managed to do better, finishing the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6. (10-7).

His win over Hurkacz followed a third-round win against 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who had reached the final at Melbourne Park each of the past two years.

Korda’s father, Petr, won the 1998 championship at the tournament. Korda’s mother was also a professional tennis player and her two older sisters play professional golf.

In the quarterfinals, the American star will take on 18th seed Karen Khachanov, who edged past Yoshihito Nishioka to book his place in the quarterfinals.

Korda, 22, stretches for the ball during his fourth round match with Hurkacz

The young American proved too much for Hurkacz (pictured) in five tough sets

Korda was cheered on by his coach, former world number 8 Radek Stepanek (R), in his players’ box.