Sebastian Korda battled past fellow American Tommy Paul 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 to reach the second round in San Diego on Tuesday.
Paul played some amazing shots and returns to turn around the second set but Korda was the more consistent, giving the advantage on the deciding set, breaking Paul’s serve before taking out the tie with a rocket of a backhand shot.
“I’m just having fun. A year ago I was ranked 220 in the world. Now I’m 42 in the world,” Korda said.
“It’s been a big jump for me and I am just having fun.
“It was tough. Tommy started playing a lot better. In the first set I was playing really well and dictating really well and then he was coming up clutch in some big moments,” Korda said.
