Korda stuns Alcaraz
Sebastian Korda knocked out World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in a Day 5 shock at the Miami Open, a result that blew the men’s draw wide open and ranks as one of the season’s biggest upsets (perfect-tennis.com). The day also saw Jiri Lehecka beat Ethan Quinn 6-3, 7-6(6) and Taylor Fritz dispatch Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4 — momentum swings all over the place as analysts dissect Alcaraz’s backhand vulnerabilities and serve patterns (wtop.com) (x.com).
Korda entered the match as World No. 36 in the PIF ATP Rankings, landed 75% of his first serves, struck five aces and closed the contest in two hours and 19 minutes. (atptour.com) The ATP noted Korda is the lowest-ranked player to beat Alcaraz at Miami since David Goffin (No. 55) and that Korda became only the sixth American to topple a world No. 1 since 2015. (atptour.com) Korda will face either 14th seed Karen Khachanov or 20‑year‑old qualifier Martin Landaluce in the last 16, and his best Miami finishes remain quarterfinal runs in 2021 and 2025. (atptour.com) Alcaraz departs Miami with a 17‑2 season record and fresh off a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells the previous week. (espn.com) Alcaraz told reporters after the match he still feels “in the right way” and plans to reset ahead of the clay swing. (tennis.com) Taylor Fritz is now the highest‑seeded man left in Alcaraz’s quarter of the draw, and he won 29 of 31 first‑serve points against Reilly Opelka while not facing a break point. (tennisnow.com) Twenty‑first seed Jiri Lehecka ended Ethan Quinn’s surprise run to reach the fourth round, with the ATP match report confirming Lehecka’s straight‑sets victory and progression. (atptour.com)
