MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a stunning third-round upset at the Miami Open on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz fell to Sebastian Korda in a gripping three-set match.
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz, who achieved a career Grand Slam by clinching the Australian Open title in January, now finds his season record at 17 wins and 2 losses. The world’s No. 1 player also faced disappointment last week, losing to Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semifinals.
Korda had a chance to serve for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but Alcaraz fought back, winning five games in succession. However, the 25-year-old Korda regained his composure and secured the victory with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, completing the match in 2 hours and 19 minutes.
As the world No. 36, Korda became the lowest-ranked male player to defeat Alcaraz since No. 55 David Goffin did so in the second round of Miami last year, according to the ATP Tour.
Korda’s next challenge awaits as he gears up to face the winner of the match between 14th-seeded Karen Khachanov and qualifier Martin Landaluce.
Joining Korda in the fourth round are fellow Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. The sixth-seeded Fritz triumphed over Reilly Opelka with a score of 6-3, 6-4, while No. 22 seed Paul edged out Raphael Collignon in a nail-biting 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5) match.
Additionally, No. 21 Jiri Lehecka and No. 29 Tomas Martin Etcheverry also celebrated victories.
On the women’s side, No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina advanced with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win against No. 27 Marta Kostyuk. Meanwhile, No. 5 Jessica Pegula showcased her strength with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 26 Leylah Fernandez.
However, No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, No. 9 Elina Svitolina, No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova, and No. 18 Iva Jovic faced early exits. Paolini was defeated by No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in a three-set battle, and Svitolina was ousted by Hailey Baptiste in straight sets.
