Miami Open: Alcaraz crashes out again; Zheng to face Sabalenka, explains ‘2-coach’ policy
Spaniard is knocked out early for second year running, while China’s No 1 wins first match against top 20 player since elbow surgery
Sebastian Korda stared down Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, sending the world No 1 crashing out of the Miami Open third round 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while China’s Zheng Qinwen beat former Australian Open champion Madison Keys before explaining her “double-coach” situation.
Korda, ranked 36th in the world, notched his first victory over a world No 1, sending Alcaraz to his second straight early exit in Miami following defeat by 55th-ranked Belgian David Goffin in round two last year.
Since that loss, Alcaraz had built a remarkable 73-6 winning record, including a 16-0 start to 2026 that featured an Australian Open triumph to complete his career grand slam and a title in Doha.
“It feels great,” said Korda, who has been ranked as high as 15th in the world but has endured two injury-disrupted seasons.
“I took the scenic route, that’s for sure – a little more stress than I would want but happy with how I played, happy with how I stayed with it.”
Korda will face qualifier Martin Landaluce for a place in the quarter-finals after the Spaniard ousted Russian No 14 seed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6.