Carlos Alcaraz knocked out of Miami Open after shock loss to Sebastian Korda

Carlos Alcaraz arrived at the Miami Open as one of the overwhelming favourites, but his campaign came to a sudden halt after a gripping three-set defeat to Sebastian Korda.

The American produced one of the standout performances of his career, overcoming the World No.1 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a match that tested both players mentally and physically.

For Alcaraz, it marks just his second defeat of the 2026 season, a surprising dip considering his dominant start to the year.

A statement win for Korda

Korda’s victory was not just an upset on paper, it was a display of maturity, discipline, and tactical clarity.

After taking the opening set with confident serving and clean ball striking, Korda looked set to close out the match in straight sets. However, Alcaraz reminded everyone why he sits atop the rankings, storming back from the brink by winning five consecutive games in the second set.

Instead of folding, Korda reset. “I took the scenic route,” Korda admitted after the match, reflecting on the momentum swings. The third set saw the American return to controlled aggression, mixing precision with patience to edge past the Spaniard and seal a landmark win.

Read also: Carlos Alcaraz wins 2026 Qatar Open, claims ninth ATP 500 Title

Where it went wrong for Alcaraz

Despite flashes of brilliance, Alcaraz struggled for consistency across key moments. His return game lacked its usual sharpness early on, Korda’s high first-serve percentage limited break opportunities, and momentum swings exposed slight lapses in concentration.

Still, the Spaniard showed resilience, particularly in the second set, where his trademark creativity, lobs, passing shots, and court coverage briefly flipped the match in his favour.

Context: A rare setback in a stellar season

This loss comes against the backdrop of what has otherwise been an exceptional year for Alcaraz.

In 2026, he has already:

• Completed a historic Career Grand Slam
• Defeated Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open
• Claimed the ATP 500 title in Doha

However, recent weeks have hinted at vulnerability, following a semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells. His current record still stands strong, but the aura of invincibility has taken a slight hit.

Korda’s comeback story gains momentum

For Korda, this victory carries deeper significance beyond the result. After battling injuries, including a lengthy spell out with a stress fracture, the American has steadily rebuilt his form and confidence. Now back among the top competitors, he is showing signs of fulfilling his long-anticipated potential.

Key takeaways from his performance:

• Composure under pressure after losing second-set momentum
• Tactical discipline, avoiding over-hitting
• Improved mental resilience in deciding moments

This win also places him among a rare group of American players to defeat a World No.1 in recent years.

What’s next in Miami?

Korda now advances to the fourth round, where he will face either Karen Khachanov or rising Spanish talent Martin Landaluce. A deep run could match, or even surpass, his previous best performances at the tournament.

For Alcaraz, attention now shifts to regrouping ahead of the clay-court season, where he is expected to remain a dominant force.

While Alcaraz remains the benchmark, consecutive defeats suggest the 2026 ATP season may be more competitive than expected. Players like Korda are proving that the gap at the top is not unbridgeable, especially on hard courts where margins are fine.

If anything, this result injects fresh intrigue into the season.

SportsLigue