MIAMI, FL – In a stunning upset at the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday, Sebastian Korda defeated World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, securing his place in the fourth round. The victory marks the biggest win of Korda’s career and hands Alcaraz his earliest loss of the season.
The 32nd-seeded American withstood a late comeback attempt from the Spaniard, prevailing after two hours and 18 minutes on Stadium Court. This result is particularly notable as Alcaraz hadn’t been eliminated before the quarterfinal stage of a tournament all year. Korda’s previous best win against a top-3 ranked player came against Daniil Medvedev at the 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old reigning Australian Open champion, had previously lifted the Miami Open trophy in 2022 but suffered a second-round exit last year. Despite this loss, his No. 1 ranking remains secure, even if Jannik Sinner were to win the tournament. Alcaraz’s “Sunshine Double” – encompassing both Indian Wells and Miami – concludes without a title, following a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells last week.
The match itself was a compelling back-and-forth affair. Korda established early control in the first set, capitalizing on a break of serve to take a 5-3 lead and ultimately close it out. Alcaraz responded in the second, demonstrating resilience by breaking back when facing a 5-4 deficit, forcing a deciding third set.
The final set remained tightly contested until Korda secured a crucial break at 4-3, capitalizing on an error from Alcaraz. He then confidently served out the match to claim the victory, showcasing impressive composure under pressure.
Korda revealed after the match that a shift in mindset was key to his success. He explained, through a smile, that he and coach Ryan Harrison focused on “playing average,” rather than attempting overly ambitious shots. “It was just have an average ball. Don’t try to do too much with it because that’s when you kind of acquire in trouble,” Korda said. He acknowledged Alcaraz’s all-around game, stating the Spaniard “is unbelievable in every aspect of his game,” and that he needed to be aggressive and take the ball out of Alcaraz’s hands to have a chance.
This victory comes at a time when Korda is demonstrating a renewed level of confidence and tactical awareness. The American’s ability to simplify his game and avoid unnecessary risks proved to be a winning formula against one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Alcaraz’s loss is his earliest defeat by ranking since a similar early exit at last year’s Rolex Paris Masters. That previous setback, but, ultimately served as a springboard for a dominant spring and summer run for the Spanish superstar. It remains to be seen if this Miami Open result will have a similar effect.
Sebastian Korda will now face the winner of the match between [opponent to be determined] in the fourth round of the Miami Open. The tournament continues this week, with fans eager to see if Korda can maintain his momentum and continue his impressive run.
Archysport will continue to provide updates from the Miami Open as the tournament progresses.
