Miami: World number one Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock third-round exit at the Miami Open after going down 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to American Sebastian Korda in a gripping encounter.
Top seed Alcaraz, 22, made a sluggish start and conceded the opening set as Korda seized the early initiative. The Spaniard fought back strongly in the second, breaking to love when Korda served for the match at 5-4, and then winning two more games to force a deciding set.
However, Korda kept his composure under pressure. The world No. 36 earned a crucial break for 4-3 in the third set when Alcaraz pushed a forehand wide. The American then held his nerve, confidently serving out the match on his second match point as Alcaraz overhit a return, sealing a memorable victory in two hours and 19 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Alcaraz struck a positive note about his progress.
“I think the process has been good. Besides the loss today, I’m still in the right way,” he said, adding that he is gradually feeling more comfortable heading into the clay-court season.
The Spaniard also admitted that lower-ranked opponents often play with greater freedom against him. “They have more to win than to lose in those matches. They’re playing without pressure. I’m trying to focus on playing my best,” he added.
For Korda, 25, the win marked the first time he has beaten a world No. 1. He will now face either 14th seed Karen Khachanov or qualifier Martin Landaluce in the fourth round.
“It feels great,” Korda said. “I took the scenic route — a little more stress than I would want — but I kept believing and played really well in the end.”
Rybakina advances smoothly
In the women’s draw, third seed Elena Rybakina cruised into the last 16 with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marta Kostyuk. She will meet Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, who defeated Iva Jovic in straight sets.
Elsewhere, fifth seed Jessica Pegula eased past Leylah Fernandez, while Jelena Ostapenko battled back to beat Jasmine Paolini. Ostapenko will next face American Hailey Baptiste, who upset ninth seed Elina Svitolina.
Source: BBC
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