Article by David Istrate – Published on Sunday, 22 March 2026 23:49 / Updated on Sunday, 22 March 2026 23:51
Unexpected result at the Miami Open! Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old), the world leader, was eliminated in the third round of the competition by Sebastian Korda (25 years old, 36 ATP), score 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, after two hours and 20 minutes.
After breaking up with Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz had a great start to 2026 and triumphed at the Australian Open and Doha. However, at Indian Wells, a first wrong step by the 22-year-old tennis player followed, who was eliminated in the penultimate act of the competition by Daniil Medvedev (30 years old, 10 ATP), score 3-6, 6-7 (3).
However, Alcaraz started the Miami tournament right and defeated the young Brazilian Joao Fonseca (19 years old, 39 ATP) in two sets, score 6-4, 6-4. Sebastian Korda, who had passed Camilo Ugo Carabelli (26 years old, 66 ATP) in the second round, 6-0, 6-3, was waiting for him in a direct duel to qualify for the round of 16 of the competition.
Carlos Alcaraz, lost in 3 sets to Sebastian Korda in the 3rd round in Miami
The American had a flawless performance in the confrontation with Alcaraz, who did not seem to be in his waters. The Spaniard was extremely nervous at times, had several tense exchanges with his team and did not find solutions to his opponent's game.
Korda won the opening set 6-3 after 41 minutes. The 25-year-old also dominated the second set and went 5-3 in the second set, one game away from a huge victory.
Alcaraz didn't give up, he found the resources to keep fighting and turned the tide of the second set, which he won 7-5. Taking advantage of his own serve, the world leader led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in the decider, but Korda broke at 3-3 and, after two hours and 20 minutes, won 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
So Korda qualified for the last eight at the Miami Open to meet either Martin Landaluce (20, 151 ATP) or Karen Khachanov (29, 15 ATP), while Alcaraz was knocked out and seems to be in a slump at this point in the season.
