Alcaraz Falls To Korda In Miami Open Upset/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in Miami Open third round. Sebastian Korda secured a hard-fought three-set victory. The upset highlights Korda’s resilience in clutch moments.
Alcaraz Loses Miami Open Quick Looks
- Sebastian Korda defeats Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
- Match lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes
- Alcaraz falls to 17-2 this season
- Korda ranked No. 36 entering the match
- Americans Fritz and Paul advance to fourth round
- Top seeds Sabalenka, Rybakina and Pegula progress
Deep Look: Alcaraz Falls To Korda In Miami Open Upset
Carlos Alcaraz’s run at the Miami Open came to an unexpected end Sunday, as the world No. 1 fell to Sebastian Korda in a tightly contested third-round match.
Korda delivered one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, defeating Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a match that lasted just over two hours. The victory marked a significant moment for the American, who showed composure and confidence against one of the sport’s most dominant players.
Alcaraz, 22, entered the tournament riding a strong season that included completing a career Grand Slam with his Australian Open triumph earlier this year. Despite the loss, he holds an impressive 17-2 record in 2026. However, this defeat follows a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells, signaling a rare stretch of vulnerability for the top-ranked Spaniard.
The match itself was filled with momentum swings. Korda appeared on the brink of victory in the second set when he served at 5-4, but Alcaraz surged back with five consecutive games to force a deciding set. The comeback showcased Alcaraz’s trademark resilience, but Korda refused to fold.
Regrouping in the third set, Korda stayed aggressive and focused, ultimately closing out the match with poise. His ability to execute in key moments proved decisive, as he capitalized on opportunities that Alcaraz could not.
“It was a tough match,” Alcaraz said afterward. He praised Korda’s performance, noting that the American played at a high level and handled critical points better. Alcaraz acknowledged that he struggled to convert during pivotal stretches, which ultimately cost him the match.
For Korda, belief was the difference-maker. The 25-year-old emphasized his mindset, saying he committed fully to every shot and trusted his game during tense moments. That confidence paid off as he sealed one of the biggest wins of his career.
Ranked No. 36, Korda became the lowest-ranked player to defeat Alcaraz since David Goffin, then ranked No. 55, beat him at the same tournament last year. The result underscores the unpredictability of tennis, even when top seeds appear dominant.
Korda now advances to face qualifier Martin Landaluce, who continued his impressive run with a straight-sets victory over 14th-seeded Karen Khachanov.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, American players continued to make a strong showing. Taylor Fritz, seeded sixth, advanced comfortably with a straight-sets win over Reilly Opelka. Tommy Paul, the No. 22 seed, also moved on after a three-set battle against Raphael Collignon.
Other winners included Jiri Lehecka, Valentin Vacherot and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, all of whom progressed to the next round.
On the women’s side, top contenders continued to assert themselves. Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed, secured a straight-sets victory over Catherine McNally. Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula also advanced with convincing wins.
However, several notable players were eliminated. Jasmine Paolini, Elina Svitolina, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Madison Keys and Iva Jovic all exited the tournament. Paolini lost in three sets to Jelena Ostapenko, while Svitolina was defeated in straight sets by Hailey Baptiste.
As the Miami Open continues, Korda’s victory over Alcaraz stands out as a defining moment — a reminder that even the sport’s biggest stars can be challenged when opponents rise to the occasion.
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