Sebastian Korda stuns World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open

Sebastian Korda scored the biggest win of his career at the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday, stunning world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

Korda was previously 1-6 vs. the Top 3, his previous best win coming against then-No. 3 Daniil Medvedev at the 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters, while Alcaraz hadn’t lost before the quarterfinals of a tournament all season. But the No. 32-seeded American withstood a late comeback to hand Alcaraz his earliest defeat since last November’s Rolex Paris Masters after two hours and 18 minutes on Stadium Court.

Alcaraz had been, by far, the most dominant player of the 2026 season heading into the Miami Open, having compiled a 16-1 record through his first three tournaments. At the Australian Open, he became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam; he followed that up with another title run at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Though he saw his win-streak end in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals, he hit the ground running in Miami to defeat talented Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca in straight sets.

Across the net on Sunday was Korda, himself a former teen pheom who has struggled with injuries throughout his still-young career. A former world No. 15, he has played some of his best tennis in Miami with two quarterfinal runs at the Hard Rock Stadium and was rounding into form with a title run in Delray Beach. Dropping just three games in his opening round against Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Korda maintained that momentum early on against Alcaraz, saving two break points on his serve in the third game to later break and serve out the opening set.

Korda threatened to run away with the second set when he won three games in a row and earned a chance for a double-break lead. Alcaraz held on until it came time for Korda to serve for the match.

Keeping the pressure on, Alcaraz secured a love-break and reeled off five straight games to force a final set.

Undaunted, Korda snapped the streak to get back on the board and weathered some stellar play from Alcaraz to score the first break of the decider.

Down 3-5 for a third straight set, Alcaraz made another brave last stand to force Korda to serve for the match. Korda made no mistake this time, putting away a backhand to set up two match points. Alcaraz saved the first but Korda claimed the second with one last well-struck serve.

Standing between Korda and a return trip to the quarterfinals will be either No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov or Spanish qualifier Martín Landaluce.