There has long been a debate within the Korda family: which of the products of this Czech-American talent factory is the worst athlete?
Sebastian Korda has claimed that title before. His sister Nelly has other ideas: “He’s a liar,” she said last year. “Honestly, he’s the best.”
Well, results like this don’t help his argument. Korda, now No. 16 in the world, is one of five Americans ranked in the top 20.
They had all hoped to end the country’s 21-year wait for a US Open men’s champion. But on Thursday, Korda was the first of them to fall.
Fans would still be streaming off the subway, through the gates of Flushing Meadows and up the stairs to Louis Armstrong Stadium by the time the 16th seed has set foot out the door.
Sebastian Korda was defeated in the second round of the US Open by the Czech Tomas Machac
The American, world number 16, suffered an elbow injury at Louis Armstrong
He struggled with an elbow injury, which required treatment more than once, and also had problems with Czech Tomas Machac.
The American drew first blood in both the first and third sets, but was outplayed on both occasions by the world number 39.
Korda lost 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in just over two hours, much to the disappointment of the home crowd and his star-studded box.
The 24-year-old’s father, Petr, is a former Australian Open champion who reached the world number two ranking. Korda’s mother was also present on court.
Regina Rajchrtova reached a career-high ranking of No. 26 in the world and sat next to her son’s girlfriend Ivana Nedved on Thursday. Yes, the daughter of former soccer star Pavel Nedved.
Machac defeated Korda 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in just over two hours on Thursday afternoon.
The 24-year-old is dating Ivana Nedved, the daughter of former football star Pavel Nedved.
Meanwhile, Nelly Korda is the world’s best female golfer by far, while her older sister Jessica is a six-time LPGA Tour winner.
Sebastian’s hopes of adding to the family trophy cabinet were dashed this fortnight. However, incredibly, this remains Korda’s longest winning streak at the US Open.
Her main draw record now reads: three first-round exits, two second-round losses. She reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the 2023 Australian Open, but has failed to progress past the third round of any major tournament since.
Against Machac, Korda was battling an injury for long periods. Halfway through the second set, he called for a medical timeout.
Doctors applied spray and tape to Korda’s right arm as he battled the elbow injury.
The American broke early in the third and led 4-1 before Machac won five straight games.
Doctors sprayed and taped her right arm to ease the pain. They returned to the court in the third set, after Korda took matters into her own hands, stretching her arm against the screen behind the baseline.
Korda berated himself between games and there was also obvious concern in his area. But still, Korda gave himself opportunities to save this game.
The American broke serve early in the third set and went 4-1 up before Machac turned things around. The world number 39 broke back (after Korda suffered a nasty fall) and then closed out the match.
The American lost five straight games before walking off the court to reflect on what comes next and where he now sits on the family tree.