Carlos Alcaraz has shared his frustration after a shock defeat to Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open.
Alcaraz was beaten 3-6, 7-5, 4-6 by American ace Korda in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami.
The world number one received a bye in the first round of the Miami Open, with Alcaraz defeating Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4 in his opener.
But that has been followed by a shock loss to Korda, after which Alcaraz shared his annoyance about players raising their game against him.
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Carlos Alcaraz annoyed by players raising their game against him after Miami exit
Alcaraz said of the issue in his post-match press conference: “It’s not really good to be honest. It’s a bit annoying. But you have to accept it. You have to keep it going and try your best.
“I think, luckily, I have a lot of weapons and a lot of things I can do on the court, trying to make him uncomfortable. Today, to be honest, I could not find that way.
“But I know that from now on they are going to play like that and I just have got to be ready. Even though he was playing above his usual level, I was there.
“There were a lot of 30-30 and 40-40s, break points to me, I did not make it but I just have got to see it from that point of view and for the next matches to think they are going to play like that and I am going to have my chances and I will try to play better in those moments and on those points and I will try not to let them stay in the match, I will try to push them to the limit even more.”
| Carlos Alcaraz | Sebastian Korda | |
| 5/6 (83%) | Net points won | 16/26 (62%) |
| 30 | Winners | 33 |
| 25 | Unforced errors | 32 |
| 58/94 (62%) | Service points won | 65/104 (63%) |
| 39/104 (38%) | Return points won | 36/94 (38%) |
| 97/198 (49%) | Total points won | 101/198 (51%) |
ATP number one Carlos Alcaraz has put a target on his back
Alcaraz’s frustration is understandable, but he is, of course, the reason for the very issue he is experiencing.
Just like many world-class players that have come before him, the Spaniard has put a target on his back thanks to his efforts over the years.
He is the dominant player in men’s tennis right now, recently becoming the youngest male Grand Slam champion by winning the Australian Open.
Alcaraz is, therefore, the player to beat, with his ATP rivals certain to want to be that player to finally knock him off his perch.
And Korda has just done that in Miami with a superb display, battling to a famous victory after two hours and 18 minutes.
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Alcaraz will now be left to lick his wounds, while Korda has earned a round of 16 meeting with another Spanish player.
He’ll take on qualifier Martin Landaluce, who has already knocked out seeded duo Karen Khachanov and Luciano Darderi.
Korda is the 32nd seed at the Miami Open, where the home favorite has also beaten Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
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