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

In a remarkable upset at the 2026 Miami Open, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was defeated by American player Sebastian Korda in the Round of 32. The match showcased Korda's resilience as he overcame a second-set setback to win in three sets. This victory not only highlights Korda's potential but also sets the stage for his next match against unseeded Martín Lacambra. Discover more about Korda's background and career achievements in this exciting recap of the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 11:39 IST

Major Upset at the Miami Open

In a shocking turn of events at the 2026 Miami Open, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated in the Round of 32 on March 22. American player Sebastian Korda delivered a stunning performance at the renowned Hard Rock Stadium, marking one of the year's biggest upsets. The match, which lasted two hours and 19 minutes, saw Korda triumph in a thrilling three-set battle. He secured the first set with a score of 6-3, but Alcaraz fought back to take the second set 7-5. Korda, who was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, faced a setback when he was broken by Alcaraz, leading to a loss of three consecutive games. Nevertheless, Korda regained his composure and clinched the deciding set 6-4, advancing to the Round of 16 where he will meet unseeded Martín Lacambra from Spain.

Introducing Sebastian Korda

Who Is Sebastian Korda?

Born on July 5, 2000, in Florida, Sebastian Korda comes from a family of tennis players. His father, Petr Korda, was a former world No. 2 and won the 1998 Australian Open men's singles title. Petr also claimed the men's doubles title in Melbourne alongside Stefan Edberg in 1996 and reached the finals at Roland Garros in both singles and doubles. Notably, he defeated world No. 1 Pete Sampras during the 1997 US Open, a significant achievement given Sampras's status as a 14-time Grand Slam champion. Sebastian's mother, Regina Rajchrtová, achieved a career-high ranking of 26 in women's singles and 45 in doubles. He has two sisters, Jessica and Nelly, who are both accomplished golfers, making Sebastian the youngest sibling.

Sebastian Korda's Professional Journey

Sebastian Korda's Career

Currently ranked 36th in the world, Korda reached a career-high ranking of 15 in ATP Men's Singles in 2024. In doubles, he is ranked 235, having previously held a ranking of 45 before an injury sidelined him. Korda made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2020 French Open, reaching the fourth round. His best performance in a major came during the 2023 Australian Open, where he advanced to the quarter-finals. In Masters 1000 events, he reached the semi-finals at the Canadian Open in 2024 and the Shanghai Masters in 2023. Throughout his career, Korda has secured three singles titles, including two ATP 250 events (Emilia-Romagna Open 2021, Delray Beach Open 2026) and the ATP 500 Washington Open in 2024. Additionally, he has one doubles title, winning the 2024 Madrid Open with partner Jordan Thompson. This victory over Alcaraz marks Korda's second win against the Spaniard, having previously defeated him in the Round of 32 at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters. Korda also holds a win against Jannik Sinner from the quarter-finals of the 2023 Adelaide Open.