Alcaraz Exits Miami Open Third Round, Sets Sights on Clay Season
Carlos Alcaraz, the ATP world number one, was eliminated at the Miami Open by Sebastian Korda. The American won 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes. Korda is ranked No. 36.
Match summary
Korda delivered the decisive break at 4-3 in the third set. He then held serve to close out the win. The result marked Korda’s second career victory over Alcaraz in six meetings.
Alcaraz battled throughout. He rallied to win five consecutive games in the second set. Still, he could not sustain the momentum in the decider.
Statistics and milestones
- Score: 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
- Duration: 2 hours, 18 minutes.
- Korda ranking: No. 36.
- Alcaraz earned 40 more points than at the previous Miami Open.
- Last low-ranked player to beat Alcaraz was David Goffin, then No. 55.
- Korda became the first American to defeat a world No. 1 since Andy Roddick beat Roger Federer in 2008.
What went wrong
Alcaraz repeatedly complained about the condition of the balls. He said he had trouble producing clean, winning shots. His coach, Samuel López, urged him to loosen up and accelerate.
The Spaniard described feeling spent and needing a break. He has lost two of his last three matches. He had been unbeaten earlier in the season until losing at the Indian Wells semifinals to Daniil Medvedev.
Looking ahead to clay
Alcaraz exits Miami Open in the third round and will shift focus to upcoming tournaments. He has time to prepare for Monte Carlo, scheduled April 5 to 12. Barcelona, Madrid and Rome follow, ahead of Roland Garros.
The Spaniard will aim to defend his Monte Carlo title. He and his team will prioritize work on clay-specific movement and tactics.
Context for both players
Korda seized the moment when Alcaraz showed vulnerability. The American secured a signature win on hard courts in Florida. For Alcaraz, the result provides a reset before the clay swing.
