MIAMI, FL – In a stunning upset at the Miami Open presented by Itaú, Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce has reached the quarterfinals, defeating American Sebastian Korda 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Landaluce, ranked No. 151, continued a remarkable run through the tournament, saving a match point along the way.
Landaluce’s victory marks the furthest a qualifier has gone at the Miami Masters 1000 since 1994, when Jim Grabb, ranked No. 185, reached the same stage. The Spaniard’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he arrived in Miami without a tour-level win in 2026, now boasting four consecutive victories. He is also the first player born in 2006 or later to reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event, signaling the arrival of a new generation of talent on the ATP Tour.
The match against Korda proved to be a rollercoaster. Korda, fresh off a significant win against World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round, started strongly, taking the first set 6-2. However, Landaluce battled back, demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure. The second set went to a tiebreak, where Landaluce faced a match point at 5/6, ultimately saving it with a clean backhand winner and eventually claiming the set 7-6(6).
The momentum shifted further in the deciding third set. Korda began to struggle, requiring medical attention for his lower back on two occasions. Landaluce capitalized on Korda’s discomfort, securing the set 6-4 and the match. The win propels Landaluce to No. 103 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, guaranteeing his entry into the top 100.
Landaluce’s emotional response after the match highlighted the personal significance of the victory. When asked what was on his mind, he dedicated the win to his grandmother, who would have turned 101 last week and passed away a few months ago. “She [would have been] 101 last week, and she passed away a few months ago. I wanted to give her the victory,” Landaluce said, according to the ATP Tour. ATP Tour
Prior to facing Korda, Landaluce had already made waves by defeating Russia’s Karel Khachanov (ranked 15th) in the previous round. This run through the qualifying rounds and into the quarterfinals demonstrates a remarkable level of skill and determination from the young Spaniard.
The tournament hasn’t been without its challenges for Korda. Following his impressive victory over Alcaraz, Korda appeared to be in strong form. However, the back issues that surfaced during the match against Landaluce clearly hampered his movement and ultimately contributed to his defeat. He received treatment on his back throughout the deciding set, but was unable to overcome Landaluce’s relentless play.
Looking ahead, Landaluce will face either Taylor Fritz (ranked 7th) or Jiri Lehecka (ranked 22nd) in the semifinals. This will be a significant test for the young Spaniard as he aims to continue his improbable run at the Miami Open. The match represents a chance to further elevate his ranking and establish himself as a rising star on the ATP Tour.
This unexpected success story in Miami underscores the increasing depth of talent in men’s tennis. Landaluce’s journey from qualifier to quarterfinalist is a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential for young players to make a significant impact on the sport. For fans following the tournament, Landaluce’s performance has injected a new level of excitement and unpredictability into the draw.
The Miami Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and surprising results. Landaluce’s victory over Korda is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tournament so far, and his next match promises to be another captivating contest.
Landaluce’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the match between Fritz and Lehecka. The semifinal match is scheduled to take place on [Date to be determined], at the Grandstand stadium in Miami. Fans can stay updated on the tournament schedule and results through the official ATP Tour website.
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