Happy Tuesday! Carlos Alcaraz's early exit headlines a Miami Open 2026 that has seen several seeds fall, leaving the draw wide open heading into the second week.

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The men's draw has been unkind to favorites this week, with a string of high-profile early exits shaking up the bracket. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated in the third round by Sebastian Korda, who rallied from a mid-match dip to win 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Daniil Medvedev followed him out the door, losing to Francisco Cerundolo, while defending champion Jakub Mensik fell to Frances Tiafoe in a grueling three-set tiebreak battle that lasted nearly three hours.

Those still in contention have plenty to play for as the tournament heads into the second week. Taylor Fritz, Arthur Fils, and Frances Tiafoe headline the American contingent, with Fils in particular looking sharp after dismantling Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 6-1 in just 55 minutes. Alexander Zverev continues his quiet progression through the bracket, and qualifier Martin Landaluce has been one of the stories of the tournament, upsetting multiple seeds including Karen Khachanov on his way to the fourth round.

Jannik Sinner has been in a class of his own through the first week, dropping just one game in his opening match and cruising past Corentin Moutet 6-1, 6-4 in the third round. Along the way he broke Novak Djokovic's record for most consecutive sets won at Masters 1000 level, a streak now standing at 26 that spans his Paris title last fall, Indian Wells last week, and into Miami. Sinner faces Alex Michelsen in the fourth round, a player he has beaten comfortably in both of their previous meetings.

The women's draw has seen its share of upsets too, with some notable names falling early. World No. 3 Iga Swiatek was stunned in the second round, continuing her recent struggles on hard courts, while eighth seed Mirra Andreeva was taken out by Canada's Victoria Mboko in three sets. The result is a wide open quarterfinal picture with several unseeded and lower-seeded players making unexpected runs deep into the draw.

Among those still standing, the American contingent has been particularly strong heading into the quarterfinals. Coco Gauff reached her first ever Miami Open quarterfinal after a tough three-set win over Sorana Cirstea, while Jessica Pegula has been solid throughout. Hailey Baptiste, unseeded, has been one of the surprises of the tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals where she will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka looks like the clear favorite to defend her title after a dominant run through the first week. The Belarusian dispatched 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour, barely breaking a sweat in the process. Sabalenka is chasing a rare Indian Wells and Miami double, a feat only four women have achieved, and on current form she looks well placed to add her name to that list.

Korda delivered the upset of the tournament on Sunday, taking down World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the third round at Hard Rock Stadium. The 25-year-old was dominant from the start, shutting Alcaraz out of his service games with a big serve and clean, aggressive ball-striking from both wings. He let a chance to close it out in two sets slip away, dropping seven straight points while serving for the match in the second, but regrouped brilliantly in the third to seal the biggest win of his career.

History has a funny way of repeating itself in the Korda family. Twenty-nine years ago, his father Petr Korda defeated then-World No. 1 Pete Sampras at the 1997 US Open in a stunning upset, going on to win the Australian Open just months later. Sebastian celebrated his win in the same style as his father did that day, placing his racket on his head in a moment that was not lost on anyone watching. It was a reminder that giant-killing runs in the family.

Korda's story is one of resilience and long-awaited potential finally being realized, having battled through a string of serious wrist injuries that repeatedly derailed his career. Working with new coach Ryan Harrison, he has found a more measured approach, winning in Delray Beach earlier this year before this breakthrough in Miami. He faces qualifier Martin Landaluce in the Round of 16 today, and on current form there is every reason to believe Korda can keep this run going deep into the second week.

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