The tennis world was left in shock on Sunday as Sebastian Korda pulled off a massive upset at the Miami Open, eliminating the top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling three-set battle. In a match that lasted over two hours, the 25-year-old American displayed incredible nerves to secure a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory, marking a significant milestone in his career and halting the Spaniard’s dominant run this season.
Carlos Alcaraz, who recently completed a historic career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, looked poised for a comeback after trailing in the second set. Korda actually served for the match at 5-4 before the World No. 1 surged back to win five consecutive games. However, the American regrouped in the decider, staying aggressive to close out the win. According to the ATP Tour, at world number 36, Korda is the lowest-ranked player to defeat Alcaraz in over a year.
“I think he was incredible today,” Alcaraz admitted after the match, noting that he struggled to capitalize on the “tied moments” where Korda excelled. For the American, the victory was a matter of mindset, stating that the “ultimate thing was belief” and committing to every shot under pressure. Korda now moves into the fourth round to face qualifier Martin Landaluce, who pulled off his own upset against Karen Khachanov.
It was a banner day for American men’s tennis overall. Joining Korda in the next round are Taylor Fritz, who dispatched Reilly Opelka in straight sets, and Tommy Paul, who survived a three-set thriller against Raphael Collignon. With several top seeds falling, the draw has opened up significantly, leaving fans wondering if an American can claim the title on home soil.
Do you think Sebastian Korda has what it takes to go all the way and claim the Miami Open title after this massive win?
