By Our Reporter
Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the Miami Open after losing to Sebastian Korda in a dramatic third-round clash, with the Spaniard visibly frustrated during the contest.
The reigning Australian Open champion fell 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a match that exposed rare vulnerability in his usually composed demeanour. At one point, Alcaraz appeared overwhelmed, venting his frustration toward his team and admitting he was struggling to cope.
Despite the setback, the world No. 1 briefly showed resilience, fighting back in the second set with a run of five consecutive games after Korda had come close to closing out the match. However, the American regrouped in the deciding set, holding his nerve to seal one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
The defeat marks Alcaraz’s second consecutive early exit in Miami, following a similar disappointment last year, and raises questions about his form after a strong start to the 2026 season.
Reflecting on the loss, Alcaraz acknowledged that his opponent had been superior in key moments, admitting he failed to capitalise on crucial opportunities.
The result also has implications for the ATP rankings race, as Jannik Sinner stands to gain ground if he continues his impressive run in the tournament.