Sebastian Korda prevails in Aussie Open decisive tiebreaker over Hubert Hurkacz for first major quarterfinal 

Sebastian Korda backed up his win over two-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev by taking out his second successive Top 10 player early Sunday evening with a gripping finish—and a little superstition.

"The towel got me through it," Korda joked during his on-court interview with Jim Courier. "Every time I went to the towel, I won the point, so I just kept going to it. My new friend over there in the blue box."

Korda halted No. 10 seed Hubert Hurkacz, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), to move within three victories of joining father Petr in the champion’s club at Melbourne Park. The 22-year-old is through to his first major quarterfinal following previous trips to the round of 16 at Roland Garros in 2020 and Wimbledon in 2021.

Lacking energy heading into his decider with the ATP’s Polish No. 1, Korda had the benefit of serving first. After 10 holds, the No. 29 seed suddenly stared down 15-40. Hurkacz’s best chance to put the match on his racquet came on the second break point, but a tension-filled backhand during an extended rally found the net. Korda survived a 12-point game, before his opponent posted a love hold to bring the clash to a winner-take-all match tiebreak.

Hurkacz had the upper hand initially with a mini break to start, though it was shortlived. Korda surged, with his crisp hitting and well-placed serves propelling him to 6-3. An unforced error on a swinging volley from Hurkacz made it six straight points to the American.

Yet, as we’ve seen in the past, protecting leads isn’t exactly Korda’s forte. Hurkacz won four consecutive points, the latter two off tight backhand miscues from the opposition, to level for 7-7. But Korda stuck with his bread and butter, as a brilliant backhand up the line put him in position to come forward and regain the mini break—and a second one passed the charging Hurkacz to cap a dramatic 27-shot closing chapter.

"I played a couple loose points, but Hubie also played a little better in that situation, got it back. Then I kind of found my feet again and played three great points to close it out," Korda said in his press conference.

The Bradenton, Fla. native arrived to the season’s first Grand Slam event as a popular dark horse pick, and with good reason. He was in prime position to defeat Novak Djokovic in the Adelaide 1 final, until the 21-time major champion fought off championship point and rallied to win in three sets. Korda's shown the best way to move on from that agonizing defeat is to treat it like a lesson in the classroom.

"I think I've had a tough match with Rafa, serving for it a couple times. Match point with Djokovic. I think that really helped me, especially in the last match with Medvedev, closing out that tiebreaker. Then today as well," he explained. "I think all those little moments that I've gone through, kind of learning from them, staying patient, staying positive, going through the process I think have really helped me going forward.

"Especially in the Djokovic match, with the one match point I had, played a little more defensive than I usually do, but also he played three great points. I think I used that really well recently. Any bigger point that I have, I'll try to go a little more, try to be a little more aggressive."

For a place in the semifinals, Korda meets Karen Khachanov. The No. 18 seed completed a career set of Grand Slam quarterfinals after routing 31st-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka, 6-0, 6-0, 7-6 (4), in one hour and 58 minutes. Khachanov, who took the first 14 games, is looking to match last year’s US Open semifinal effort.

While the Russian has lost their last two meetings, he notably spoiled Korda's 21st birthday at Wimbledon two years ago by eking out their fourth-round encounter 10-8 in the fifth.