Photo credit: Rob Stone/@RobStoneTennis
Sebastian Korda grew up playing on South Florida hard courts.
Korda continues to give opponents the runaround in the Sunshine State.
World No. 36 Korda played bold all-court tennis toppling world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a Miami Open stunner.
Korda is the lowest-ranked player to defeat Alcaraz since No. 55 David Goffin sent Alcaraz packing from the Miami second round last March.
Delray Beach champion Korda is the first American man to beat a world No. 1 in Miami since Andy Roddick upset Roger Federer in the 2008 Miami Open quarterfinals.
Australian Open champion Alcaraz was armed with a 17-1 record on the season as he walked out onto Hard Rock Stadium Court.
Credit Korda for taking his cracks down the line and asserting his aggression in baseline rallies. Korda hit 33 winners, three more than Alcaraz, and won 16 of 26 trips to net.
American No. 1 Taylor Fritz said Korda’s sharper serve has sparked his success this season.
“I know Sebi has been playing really well. I feel like he’s been serving [well],” Korda said. “He’s always returned well, struck the ball great off the baseline. I think he’s serving better than
normally. Serving really well, I think. Playing with confidence.
“Obviously I can say this now, you don’t need to believe me or not, but I said I felt like [Alcaraz vs. Korda] was going to be a really close match.”
Playing from behind for much of the match, Alcaraz stole the second set, breaking at love when Korda served for the match at 5-4.
Still Korda, who has been working with long-time friend Ryan Harrison as coach, did not back down. Korda broke for a 4-3 third-set lead and held at 30 to confirm the break.
Alcaraz’s loss comes a week after he suffered his first loss of the season, bowing to Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(3), in the Indian Wells semifinals.