MIAMI, FL – In a stunning upset at the Miami Open presented by Itau, American Sebastian Korda defeated top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the tournament. The victory marks Korda’s first against a World No. 1 and propels him into the fourth round, where he will face qualifier Martin Landaluce. Yet, the match has similarly sparked discussion about Alcaraz’s current form and, according to some observers, a potential lack of motivation.
Korda, currently ranked No. 36, demonstrated resilience and composure throughout the two-hour, 19-minute match. After failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set and dropping five consecutive games, he regrouped impressively to secure the decisive break in the third. This win is particularly significant as it comes after a period of injury struggles for the American, who slipped to No. 86 in the rankings after a right shin stress fracture last year.
The result is a notable one for Alcaraz, who had enjoyed a dominant start to 2026, boasting a 16-0 record before suffering losses to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells and now Korda in Miami. This is only the second time Alcaraz has lost two of his past three matches. Prior to this, Alcaraz had been 17-1 in his last 18 matches against American opponents and had consistently reached at least the semifinals in 13 of his previous 14 tournaments.
Adding another layer to the narrative, reports are surfacing suggesting Alcaraz may be experiencing a dip in motivation. Tennis analyst Patrick Mouratoglou, speaking after the match, expressed a feeling that Alcaraz appeared somewhat disengaged during the contest. While Mouratoglou did not elaborate on specific observations, his comments have fueled speculation about the Spaniard’s mental state.
“I suppose Sebi was incredible today,” Alcaraz acknowledged after the match, offering credit to his opponent. “I didn’t have my best level, and he played a great match.”
Korda’s path to this victory wasn’t without its challenges. He admitted to taking a “scenic route,” acknowledging the stress of the close match. “There was a little more stress than I would desire, but I’m happy with how I played, happy with how I stayed with it. I kept believing,” Korda said. He also highlighted his ability to maintain focus even when facing tricky situations.
This win places Korda among an exclusive group of players to have defeated Alcaraz. He is the lowest-ranked man to achieve this feat since David Goffin, ranked No. 55, upset the Spaniard in the second round of the Miami Open last year. Korda will now aim to match his best result in Miami, having reached the quarter-finals in both 2021 and 2025.
For Alcaraz, the loss raises questions about his preparation and mindset heading into the clay court season. The Spaniard’s serve percentage was notably low during the match, landing only 60 percent of his first serves. This contributed to Korda’s ability to dictate play and consistently put Alcaraz on the defensive.
The American’s victory also marks the first time an American has defeated a World No. 1 in Miami since Andy Roddick’s triumph over Roger Federer in the 2008 quarterfinals. This adds a significant historical weight to Korda’s achievement and underscores his growing potential on the ATP Tour.
Korda’s success is a testament to his dedication to rehabilitation and his ability to perform at a high level when fully fit. Having battled through numerous injuries over the past three years, he has demonstrated a remarkable level of resilience and determination. His current form suggests he is poised for a breakthrough season.
The Miami Open continues with Landaluce and Korda set to face off in the fourth round. All eyes will be on Alcaraz as he prepares for the upcoming clay court swing, with questions lingering about his form and motivation. The Spaniard will undoubtedly be looking to regain his dominant form and silence any doubts surrounding his game.
What’s Next: Sebastian Korda will face Martin Landaluce in the fourth round of the Miami Open. Carlos Alcaraz is expected to announce his schedule for the clay court season in the coming days.
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