Tennis

Dean Goldfine, a former college tennis player, has become a renowned coach in the tennis world, guiding many top American players to success. His journey began as a hitting partner for Mary Joe Fernandez, leading to opportunities to coach Todd Martin and Andy Roddick.Goldfine's partnership with Martin taught him valuable lessons, which he applied to his coaching of Roddick. Despite facing the challenges of the "Big-3" era, Roddick's unwavering work ethic and competitiveness made him a successful player.Goldfine has also worked with Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton, helping them navigate the transition to professional tennis. He remains actively involved in the sport through his work with the USTA and American Davis Cup team.Goldfine's passion for teaching and transferring knowledge drives his coaching philosophy. He believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where players can reach their full potential.

American tennis star Sebastian Korda has undergone successful elbow surgery to address lingering issues that have hampered his recent performances. The 23-year-old announced the procedure on social media, expressing optimism about his recovery and return to the court.Korda's decision to undergo surgery came after consulting with his medical team. He had been experiencing discomfort in his right arm, which became evident during his second-round US Open loss to Tomas Machac. The American received a medical timeout during the match, indicating the severity of the pain.Despite the setback, Korda has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024. He cracked the ATP Top 20 for the first time, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 15 in September. Korda captured his maiden ATP 500 title in Washington, D.C., following in the footsteps of his father, Petr Korda, who won the same tournament 32 years prior.The father-son duo became the first to win the same ATP tour title and both reach the world's Top 20. Korda also reached the semifinals of the Canadian Masters 1000, defeating Alexander Zverev before falling to Alexei Popyrin. He partnered with Jordan Thompson to claim his first ATP doubles title at the Madrid Masters 1000.Korda's surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. However, he remains positive about his recovery and is eager to return to competition. The American has received an outpouring of support from fellow players and fans, who have expressed their well wishes and anticipation for his comeback.

Sebastian Korda, fresh off his triumph in Washington D.C., is poised to make a deep run in Montreal. Despite benefiting from some fortunate withdrawals, Korda has showcased his exceptional talent in his victories over Taylor Fritz and Vasek Pospisil.Korda's potential has been evident for some time. His towering height, combined with his agility and clean ball-striking, makes him a formidable opponent. However, consistency has often eluded him, sometimes attributed to a lack of self-belief. But when Korda finds his rhythm, he transforms into a Top 10 caliber player.His recent title in D.C. and his impressive win over Fritz in Canada are testaments to his current form. Fritz, who had previously dominated Korda, was unable to match the American's brilliance. This victory highlights Korda's ability to rise to the occasion against top-tier competition.While Korda's path to the semifinals has been relatively smooth, his upcoming clash with Alexander Zverev will be a significant test. Zverev has cruised through his first two matches, but his preparation for the hard-court season has been less than ideal. Korda, on the other hand, is riding a wave of momentum and has the potential to exploit Zverev's potential dip in form.Korda's serve will be crucial in this match. Despite his size and power, he has occasionally struggled to hold serve. However, he has shown signs of improvement in this area, making at least 80% of his first serves in 10 of his last 16 matches. If he can maintain this level of consistency, he will give himself a fighting chance against Zverev.Overall, Korda's recent performances suggest that he is capable of upsetting the odds against Zverev. His confidence is soaring, and he has the game to match his ambition. While Zverev remains a formidable opponent, Korda's momentum and determination could prove to be the difference-maker.

Fritz and Paul Triumph in National Bank Open OpenersMONTREAL, Canada - Olympic doubles bronze medalists Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul kicked off their National Bank Open campaigns with impressive singles victories on Wednesday.Fritz, seeded ninth, dispatched Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-4, 6-1 in a dominant display. The American controlled the match from the outset, breaking Navone's serve twice in the first set and cruising through the second."It was a solid match," Fritz said. "I feel like the level, probably from both of us, went up a bit in the second set. We started playing longer points."Fritz will face fellow American Sebastian Korda in the second round. Korda, fresh off his second ATP Tour title in Washington, advanced when Vasek Pospisil retired due to a back injury.Paul, seeded 10th, also secured a straight-sets victory, defeating Luciano Darderi of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (2). Paul broke Darderi's serve in the opening game and held on to his advantage throughout the match."I'm happy with the way I played," Paul said. "I served well and was able to control the points. I'm looking forward to the next round."Paul will face qualifier Brandon Nakashima in the second round. Nakashima, who upset Canadian wild-card Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 7-5, is coming off a strong performance in Washington, where he reached the semifinals.Other Americans who advanced on Wednesday included Ben Shelton and Nakashima. Shelton, seeded 11th, edged doubles partner Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, while Nakashima beat Shapovalov.Flavio Cobolli of Italy, who lost to Korda in the DC Open final on Sunday, upset 14th-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6-3, 6-2.

Sebastian Korda, the American tennis star, will face Jordan Thompson of Australia in the quarterfinals of the Washington D.C. Open on Friday, August 2. Korda advanced to this stage after a fortunate victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis, while Thompson has been in impressive form throughout 2024.Korda's victory over Kokkinakis was a tale of two halves. The Australian appeared to have the match in hand, but Korda managed to pull off an improbable shot to save a match point and steal the second set. Kokkinakis then retired in the third set due to an injury.Despite his fortunate victory, Korda's performance has been far from convincing. The American has struggled with his consistency and has not been playing at the level he was last year. His hold percentage is down, and he is not returning as well as he did in previous seasons.In contrast, Thompson has been one of the most underrated players on the planet in 2024. The Australian has a career-high winning percentage of 59.1% and has won more matches this season than any other in his career. Thompson is a rock-solid server, can grind from the baseline, and is extremely competent at net.Thompson's ability to stay solid while constructing points is troubling for players like Korda, who are prone to making mistakes. The Australian is likely to cruise through some service games and extract errors from Korda's baseline play.While Korda may be the higher-ranked player, Thompson has been in much better form this season. The Australian has won nine of his last 12 matches and is more likely to solve problems on the court.Given Thompson's impressive form and Korda's struggles, the Australian is a tempting underdog at +150.

Sebastian Korda's Wimbledon hopes were dashed by the formidable serve of lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who stunned the 20th seed in a thrilling five-set battle.Mpetshi Perricard, a 6-foot-8 Frenchman, unleashed a barrage of 51 aces and 93 winners, leaving Korda helpless on many occasions. The match was a testament to Mpetshi Perricard's exceptional athleticism and serve-and-volley prowess.Despite Korda's experience and promising grass-court form, Mpetshi Perricard's serve proved too much to handle. The Frenchman saved all 11 break points he faced and hit three aces in the final game to seal the victory.Mpetshi Perricard's rise has been meteoric. Just two months ago, he won his first ATP title in his hometown of Lyon. His unique combination of height, athleticism, and a powerful forehand has earned him comparisons to the future of tennis.While his return game needs improvement, Mpetshi Perricard's athleticism allows him to cover the court with ease. He is also willing to come to the net, adding another dimension to his game.Mpetshi Perricard's victory is a reminder that the future of tennis is in good hands. His serve-and-volley style, combined with his athleticism and willingness to take risks, could make him a force to be reckoned with on the ATP Tour.

Sebastian Korda, the 23-year-old American tennis star, has made a significant breakthrough on grass courts, reaching his first tour-level final on the surface at the 's-Hertogenbosch tournament. Korda's impressive performance has raised expectations that he could make a major impact at Wimbledon this year.In the semifinals, Korda showcased his dominance on grass, dismantling sixth-seeded home favorite Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Despite blustery conditions, Korda remained composed, winning 87% of his second-serve points and facing no break points."It was super tricky, super windy," Korda said after the match. "Obviously, Tallon is an unbelievable player, and him winning here last year, it's a nice confidence boost for me."Korda's victory extended his winning streak to eight sets this week, having previously defeated compatriot Tommy Paul, the No. 2 seed. In the final, he will face either top seed Alex de Minaur or third seed Ugo Humbert.Korda is aiming to end a four-match losing streak in ATP finals and claim his first title since his maiden triumph on clay at Parma in May 2021. His impressive 13-6 record in grass-court matches at the tour level suggests that he has the potential to make a deep run at Wimbledon.Korda's success on grass is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. Known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, he has shown that he can adjust his game to the unique challenges of grass courts. His ability to control his shots and generate pace on the surface has been key to his recent success.With Wimbledon just around the corner, Korda's performance in 's-Hertogenbosch has sent a clear message that he is a contender to watch. If he can maintain his current form, he could be a major threat to the established stars of the grass-court season.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world's No. 3 seed, has continued his impressive return to form at Roland Garros, defeating Sebastian Korda in straight sets to advance to the second week of the tournament.Alcaraz, who has been hampered by a persistent right forearm injury this season, has shown no signs of discomfort in Paris, playing his best tennis when it matters most. Against Korda, the Spaniard hit through any lingering doubts, showcasing his trademark power and precision.The match started slowly, with both players struggling to find their rhythm. However, Alcaraz gradually gained the upper hand, breaking Korda's serve in the sixth game to take the first set 6-4.Korda fought back in the second set, leveling the score at 3-3. But Alcaraz's forehand, which has been the most affected by his injury, came to the fore in the tiebreaker, helping him secure a 7-6 (5) victory.The third set was a more straightforward affair, with Alcaraz breaking Korda's serve early on and holding his own serve comfortably. He eventually sealed the match with a volley into the open court, winning 6-3.Alcaraz's victory sets up a potential quarterfinal clash with Italian rival Jannik Sinner, who is also in the same half of the draw. However, Alcaraz must first face the winner of the rain-delayed match between American Ben Shelton and Canada's Félix Auger-Aliassime.Alcaraz has a 1-0 record against Shelton but trails Auger-Aliassime 2-3 in their head-to-head. However, the Spaniard has won their last two matches, including a victory on clay at the Madrid Open earlier this year.

Sebastian Korda, the younger brother of LPGA star Nelly Korda, is hoping to channel his sister's recent success as he competes at Roland Garros. Nelly Korda has been on a historic winning streak this spring, becoming just the third woman to win five consecutive tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Her dominance has inspired her brother, who is eager to make a mark of his own at the French Open.Sebastian Korda has a tough task ahead of him in the third round, as he faces No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz has been one of the most impressive players on the ATP Tour this year, and he is considered a favorite to win Roland Garros. However, Korda has a reason to be optimistic. He defeated Alcaraz on clay in Monte Carlo last year, and he believes he can do it again."He's been one of the best clay-courters in the last couple of years, so it's obviously going to be very difficult," Korda said. "We've played probably two years ago to the day, a third round, exactly. A night match as well."It’s going to be a fun experience, and hopefully I can play some good tennis. We'll see what happens.”Korda's family will be cheering him on from afar, including his sister Nelly. Nelly Korda is competing in the U.S. Women's Open this week, but she will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on her brother's match."She's such an unbelievable competitor," Sebastian Korda said of his sister. "She'll do anything to win out there. She'll put her teeth into everything. She's a true warrior."Just watching her play right now, it's really inspiring to watch ... It's a lot of fun.“Luckily and unluckily, I was out of the tournament every time she was doing well, so I always had the opportunity to watch her. I would always watch the last couple of holes because I can't take watching it. It's just too nerve-wracking for me."Sebastian Korda is hoping to make his own history at Roland Garros. With his sister's success as inspiration, he believes he can make a deep run in the tournament.