In a stunning turn of events at the Miami Open on Sunday, Sebastian Korda delivered a remarkable performance to eliminate the world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, in a thrilling three-set match. Korda, who is ranked 36th globally, secured a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory, marking his first-ever win against a top-ranked player. This defeat represents Alcaraz’s second consecutive early exit at this tournament, following last year’s unexpected loss to Belgian David Goffin, who was ranked 55th at the time.
Alcaraz had been in extraordinary form since that setback, compiling an impressive 73-6 win-loss record, which included a flawless 16-0 start to the 2026 season. His achievements this year feature a triumphant Australian Open campaign that completed his career Grand Slam and a title win in Doha, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Despite this momentum, Korda managed to disrupt Alcaraz’s rhythm and composure on the hard courts of Miami.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. Korda appeared poised to close out the match in the second set when he served for it at 5-4 but was broken at love, allowing Alcaraz to rally and win the next two games. This comeback forced a decisive third set, highlighted by a sequence of five consecutive games won by the Spaniard. However, Korda remained resilient under pressure. He capitalized on a crucial break point in the third set when Alcaraz’s forehand sailed wide, giving the American a 4-3 lead. Demonstrating confidence and composure, Korda held his serve with authority, sealing the game with a spectacular overhead winner. After Alcaraz managed to hold serve, Korda served for the match once again and this time converted without error.
Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Korda acknowledged the challenges he faced, noting that his journey has been anything but straightforward. Having reached a career-high ranking of 15th, his progress was hampered by injuries over the past two seasons. “It feels fantastic,” Korda said. “I definitely took the scenic route to get here—there was more stress than I would have liked, but I’m really pleased with how I played and how I stayed mentally strong throughout.”
Alcaraz, gracious in defeat, praised Korda’s performance, describing it as “incredible.” He admitted that several critical moments in the match slipped away from him, which ultimately made the difference. “There were many tight points, and I just didn’t capitalize on them,” Alcaraz explained. “He was better in those key moments, and that was the turning point of the match.”
Looking ahead, Korda is set to face Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce in the quarter-finals. Landaluce earned his spot by defeating 14th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), adding another upset to the tournament’s growing list of surprises.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka maintained her momentum in the Miami Open with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win over American Caty McNally, who is ranked 72nd. Despite the straight-sets scoreline, the match was more competitive than it appeared, with both players exchanging multiple breaks of serve in the opening set. Sabalenka secured the crucial break in the final game of the first set, which proved decisive.
Sabalenka, who is aiming to complete the coveted “Sunshine Double” after winning her first Indian Wells title just last week, initially missed an opportunity to break McNally early in the second set. However, she quickly intensified her pressure on the American’s serve, breaking twice in the final two service games to close out the match. “She played excellent tennis,” Sabalenka remarked, highlighting the importance of holding serve at 5-4 in a game that featured five deuces. “I’m very happy to finish this match in straight sets.”
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be China’s Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, who advanced by defeating Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4. This victory marked Zheng’s first win against a top-20 player since returning from elbow surgery last July, signaling her return to form on the WTA Tour.
Adding to the excitement, world number two Elena Rybakina, who lost to Sabalenka in the Australian Open final but triumphed over her at Indian Wells, smoothly progressed to the last 16. She secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. Rybakina will now face Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, who has been making waves after upsetting 18th seed Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2. Gibson, who reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, also claimed a notable win over former world number one Naomi Osaka in the second round, underscoring her rising potential.
