In-form Korda knocks out Zverev to reach semi-finals in Montreal

American Sebastian Korda edged out German Alexander Zverev, the second seed, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals of the Montreal Masters at Stade IGA.

Korda is currently enjoying an excellent run of form, having won his second ATP title at the Citi Open in Washington last week.

Today’s win is now his eighth victory in a row. Given that it has come against second seed and world No 4 Zverev, this is arguably his most impressive of that run. This is the second top-five win of his career and moves him to a career-high ranking of No 15 in the world.

Having struggled with recurrent injuries over the early years of his career, Korda has shown enough flashes of brilliance for all to know just how big his potential is.

With a beautiful, fluid motion, his game is built around an effective serve and penetrating, angled groundstrokes. All of these were operating at optimal capacity today, as the German was edged out despite an impressive showing of his own.

A tight tiebreak decided the first set, before the second went the way of Zverev in dominant fashion.

But Korda regrouped well to clinch a late break and seal one of the best wins of an increasingly strong season.

Korda, ranked No 18, will face the winner of the match between Australian Alexei Popyrin and Pole Hubert Hurkacz, the No 4 seed, next.

Earlier in the tournament, the American won against Canadian wildcard Vasek Pospisil (2-1 ret.), No 9 seed Taylor Fritz (6-4, 7-6 (4)) and Norwegian Casper Ruud, the No 6 seed (W/O).

Zverev, ranked No 4, beat Australian Jordan Thompson (6-1, 6-1) and Dane Holger Rune, the No 13 seed (6-3, 7-6 (5)) in the previous rounds of the Rogers Cup.

Montreal Masters 1000, other last 8 results (Stade IGA, hard, USD 6.795.555, most recent results first):

• Alexei Popyrin vs. Hubert Hurkacz: sunday
• Matteo Arnaldi beat Kei Nishikori: 6-4, 7-5
• Andrey Rublev (5) beat Jannik Sinner (1): 6-3, 1-6, 6-2