Korda shocked world No. 1 Alcaraz at Miami Open

By Harvey Fialkov / Staff writer

MIAMI GARDENS – Tennis legend Billie Jean King famously said that: “Pressure is a privilege.”

But is pressure on the shoulders of the lower-ranked player going up against the number one player in the world or vice-versa?

Well, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the prestigious Miami Open, thousands of boisterous fans had the privilege of watching oft-injured American Sebastian Korda stun world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.  That third-round outcome sent shock waves through a wide-open top-half of the draw.

Korda, 25, ranked No. 36 after enduring three years of constant rehabilitation from a litany of injuries, had never faced a world No.1. However, he had beaten the 22-year-old Spaniard on clay at Monte Carlo in 2022 when ranked a career-high 15.

“I didn’t even know I never played a world No. 1,’’ said Korda. “Ultimately, it’s just a ranking. There are so many amazing players that could be world No. 1 right now. From the beginning, the whole day, all I wanted was just to take care of my side of the court. Wasn’t going to have a bad attitude, wasn’t not going to be committed, and believing. I think that’s one thing when you’re playing against these higher-ranked players, you kind of lose that belief a little bit. From the whole match, that’s all I wanted from myself.”

Korda is 10-23 against Top 10 players but is the first American to dethrone a world No. 1 in Miami since Andy Roddick knocked out Roger Federer in the 2008 quarterfinals. He’s the lowest-ranked player to beat Alcaraz since No. 55 David Goffin beat him in his opening round here last year.

Alcaraz was 17-1 in his last 18 matches against Americans and had advanced to at least the semifinals in 13 of his previous 14 tournaments.

“I think Sebi was incredible today,’’ said Alcaraz, who didn’t have Queen Sofia of Spain in his box today as he did Friday night. “He played such a great game. A lot of tight, tight moments that I just didn’t make the most of. I think he was better on those points, on those moments.”

Alcaraz noticed how free-swinging and relaxed Korda was, except when the Bradenton native was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set.

“Obviously, when you’re winning tournaments and you have a great win-loss record, I’m going to say it’s easier in the way of pressure to the opponents, to the players that play against me or against the best players in the world,’’ Alcaraz said. “I’m feeling they have more to win than to lose in those matches. That’s why in some moments or during almost the whole match they’re playing without pressure.

“That’s the feeling that I get after every match. I’m not thinking about my pressure. I don’t feel it at all. I’m trying to play my best.”

Korda did get tight in an error-filled game to hand Alcaraz the second set break that energized the 2022 Miami Open champion to quickly even the match.

“It’s definitely the toughest thing to do in tennis,’’ Korda said. “It’s probably double the task when you’re playing against Carlos. You can feel his presence when there’s an important moment. He plays his best tennis in important moments.”

However, with the advice from his coach Ryan Harrison in the player’s box, Korda regained his composure and got the critical break at 3-3 in the decisive set. This time, he would serve out the match in style.

After match point Korda held both hands on top of his head as in disbelief before receiving a thunderous ovation from the fans, who seemed to be evenly split for both players.

Aryna Sabalenka, who has worn the No. 1 women’s mantle since 2024, broached the subject after a tougher test than expected in a 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Caty McNally. McNally is 0-11 against Top 10 players.

“When you’re not prepared for that and go out just relying on your ranking it can be a problem,’’ said Sabalenka, who has won 26 consecutive matches against opponents ranked outside the Top 10. “When you’re prepared and ready from the beginning to be focused and to fight for every point … It can be tricky sometimes and almost impossible to deal with. What can you do when the player just goes with the crush and is killing it?

“You need to wait for a moment and change the game completely. It’s been fun having these kinds of matches. I remember when I played [a No. 1] you play with the crowd, it’s the first experience you have and have nothing to lose so you go for your shot with no pressure on you. It’s a great feeling but I prefer to be world No. 1 and have this target on my back.”

Neither Sabalenka nor Jessica Pegula can remember the first time they faced a No. 1. Pegula is 5-8 against No. 1s, and  it took her five attempts before toppling  Iga Swiatek at the 2023 United Cup.

“You always put a little bit more pressure on yourself,’’ said Pegula, who lost to No. 1 Sabalenka in last year’s Miami Open final. “At the same time you feel there’s no pressure so it’s a weird balance. You start playing well and you’re, ‘Wow, this is great,’ but at some point, they step it up and put the pressure on you and you come out of your game and it’s set or match. You can feel the disparity and the difficulty of playing a No. 1 with all of that Grand Slam experience and not being used to that. So have fun as if you have nothing to lose and use that to your advantage.”

That’s exactly what Korda did Sunday in the park, slamming 12 aces, winning 18 of 26 points coming to net and whacking 33 winners.

While men’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner has a chance for the Sunshine Double after winning Indian Wells a week ago, Korda has a shot at the South Florida Double. Three weeks ago he hoisted the trophy in Delray Beach for his third ATP title.

Korda will next play another Spaniard, qualifier Martin Landaluce, who is the third qualifier to reach the fourth round of the Miami Open in this decade.

Korda credited his decision to play a San Diego Challenger after losing in the first round of the Australian Open. He reached the final and also thanked former No. 1 John McEnroe for helping him climb out of a [mental] hole and finding his tennis identity after losing a heartbreaker to Taylor Fritz in Dallas.

“I was just trying to put myself in those stressful situations,’’ said  Korda. “I’d been injured for so long, missed so many months, got down a really dark hole. Those were important weeks for me to just kind of figure myself out. … It gave me a little bit of a boost of confidence to throw myself back in those stressful situations, put myself in a match, live in those kind of like nasty moments during a match, just those stressful environments. If I didn’t play San Diego, I don’t think I’d be sitting here right now.”

Fritz, seeded sixth, played a nearly flawless match in downing fellow American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4. He saw how Korda’s level was back to elite in Dallas.

“I thought I played very well in that match (versus Korda) and was still two points away from losing it, so I know Sebi has been playing really well,’’ he said. “He’s always returned well, struck the ball great off the baseline. I think he’s serving better than normally. Playing with confidence.”

It wasn’t a perfect day for the Kordas as sister and former No. 1 ranked golfer Nelly Korda was the runnerup at the Fortnet Founders Cup in California. She lost by just a stroke.

Oh well.

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