Korda describes lofty expectations this year as 'just good pressure'

Sebastian Korda has been touted as the next big star of American men's tennis, and the 21-year old is ready to prove himself this season.

Korda kicked off his Australian Open campaign with a 6-3 6-0 6-4 upset victory over 12th seed Cameron Norrie, and the American spoke on now having a target on his back.

"Last year I was hunting everyone and now people are going to be hunting me, so it’s going to be a new thing that I’m going to experience and hopefully I’m going to do really well with it,” Korda told the ATP website.

“I’ve always been around pressure with my dad [former World No. 2 Petr Korda], and how great of a tennis player he was, and my family with both of my sisters [World No. 1 LPGA star Nelly and former Top 10 member Jessica].

So, I’m used to it, I’m doing something that I love and all the pressure that I get is just good pressure”.

Currently ranked 43rd in the world, Korda experienced a breakthrough season last year. The Florida native won his maiden ATP title in Parma, and reached the final of both the Delray Beach Open and Next Gen ATP Finals. He is scheduled to face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the second round at Melbourne Park.