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After Sebastian Korda defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday night on the BNP Paribas Open, he knew precisely who’s subsequent. When requested about his second-round Indian Wells opponent, red-hot lefty Rafael Nadal, all of the American was capable of do was chuckle.
“It’s going to be totally different. I’m not going to have these first-time jitters towards him and I do know what to anticipate,” Korda stated. “He’s clearly going to know what he’s going to anticipate from me and it’s going to be a enjoyable match for positive.”
Picture Credit score: Peter Staples/Citi Open
Korda’s fandom of the 21-time main champion has been effectively documented; Sebi even has a cat named after the Spaniard. Coincidentally, he educated with Nadal inside Stadium 1 on Tuesday morning earlier than the draw got here out.
“It’s going to be thrilling. For the primary time ever I bought it to a tie-break, however I misplaced it sadly,” Korda stated, once more cracking fun. “Nevertheless it’s going to be superior. He’s my largest idol and I look as much as him a lot. He’s an awesome particular person and I’m actually wanting ahead to it. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
That is simply Korda’s second predominant draw look within the BNP Paribas Open. Nevertheless, he’s loads comfy on the Indian Wells Tennis Backyard, the place he remembers enjoying since he was 12. “There’s been numerous tennis that I’ve performed right here and I’m actually wanting ahead to much more,” he stated.
Subsequent up on Saturday will probably be Nadal. The primary time they clashed, within the fourth spherical at Roland Garros two years in the past, Nadal simply captured a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory. The American believes he’ll be capable of put these jitters behind him and concentrate on the duty at hand, ending the Spaniard’s excellent 15-0 begin to 2022.
“The jitters had been first-time intimidation. He’s bought this aura about him, he’s simply an intimidating particular person,” Korda stated. “However I’m actually wanting ahead to it.”
from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/jqzcEBQ
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