Veteran Frenchman Mannarino upends Korda to win Astana Open for fourth title of career

Adrian Mannarino upended fifth seed Sebastian Korda 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the Astana Open on Tuesday and clinch the fourth title of his career.

The 34-year-old Frenchman, who has been enjoying the best year of his career, came from a set and a break down to clinch his second hard-court title, and his second title of 2023.

“In the beginning of the march I was not dwelling my best, I was a little tight,” Mannarino said. “When I was a break down in the second I started to think, I should just enjoy it a little bit, so I tried to try some touch shots.

“I was a little lucky to come back in the second but in the third I was feeling a litlte better and I am pretty happy to win this match. I’ve lost two finals on this court, it’s good to finally get the win. Just getting to the final was already an accomplishment for me but winning the title is even better.”

Mannarino, ranked No 34, beat Arthur Rinderknech (7-6 (4), 6-2), Russian qualifier Alibek Kachmazov (6-2, 5-7, 6-3), Austrian qualifier Jurij Rodionov (6-1, 7-6 (6)) and Austrian Sebastian Ofner (6-4, 6-2) in the previous rounds of the Nur-Sultan tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Korda, ranked No 28, defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin (7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4), Portuguese Nuno Borges (6-4, 7-6 (4)), Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, the top seed (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) and Serb wildcard Hamad Medjedovic (6-7 (8), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3)).