Sebastian Korda stuns Carlos Alcaraz, world no. 1 crashes out of Miami Open

In a gripping third-round clash at the Miami Open, world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of American Sebastian Korda, marking one of the tournament’s biggest upsets so far.

Alcaraz, who came into the tournament riding high after completing a career Grand Slam earlier this year, looked far from his dominant best as Korda held his nerve in crucial moments to seal a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory in a match that lasted over two hours. The Spaniard’s loss also reflects a slight dip in momentum, following his recent semifinal exit at Indian Wells.

The match itself was a rollercoaster battle . Korda appeared to have things under control as he served for the match in the second set at 5-4. However, Alcaraz showed his trademark resilience, winning five consecutive games to force a deciding set. Just when it seemed the top seed had regained control, Korda regrouped with remarkable composure , raising his level in the final set and closing out the match with confidence.

Speaking after the match, Alcaraz admitted that the difference lay in the finer details . He acknowledged Korda’s superior execution in pressure moments, noting that while the match had many tight exchanges, it was the American who capitalised when it mattered most.

For Korda, currently ranked No. 36, the victory is particularly significant. It makes him one of the lowest-ranked players to defeat Alcaraz in recent times, underlining both the unpredictability of the sport and the rising depth in men’s tennis. His belief and aggressive shot-making proved decisive in navigating the tense moments of the contest.

Korda will now face Spain’s rising qualifier Martin Landaluce in the next round, as he looks to build on this statement win .

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul advanced with solid performances, while several seeded players continued their steady march forward.

In the women’s competition, top seed Aryna Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance , cruising into the next round alongside contenders like Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula. However, the tournament also witnessed notable exits , highlighting the fiercely competitive nature of the field.