Early rounds of big events can sometimes be a cakewalk for the top players, but there is no time for Carlos Alcaraz to ease his way into the Miami Open.
In his opening match, the world No. 1 went up against Joao Fonseca on Friday night. Much to the chagrin of the Brazilian crowd, Alcaraz passed the test with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The 22-year-old’s reward is a third-round showdown against Sebastian Korda on Sunday.
Korda may not generate the same kind of buzz as Fonseca, but the 36th-ranked American is just quietly going about his business and playing very well right now. He lifted the Delray Beach trophy last month and kicked off his Miami campaign with a 6-0, 6-3 rout of Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
As was the case against Fonseca, Alcaraz knows what his dangerous opponent brings to the table. They have faced each other on five previous occasions, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head series 4-1. Korda pulled off a three-set upset at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters, but Alcaraz has since won three in succession — most recently via a 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3 decision at the 2024 French Open.
Alcaraz is looking to bounce back from an Indian Wells semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev and ultimately secure his second Miami title and first since 2022. There is still a long way to go, of course, before the Spaniard can start thinking about the trophy — but early returns against Fonseca were encouraging. Friday’s result improved Alcaraz’s 2026 record to 17-1, which is highlighted by triumphs at the Australian Open and Doha ATP 500.
Although Korda has the physical tools to beat the world’s best, he seems to lack belief when guys like Alcaraz — and in previous years Rafael Nadal — are on the other side of the net. There are some exceptions (such as their 2022 Monte-Carlo match), but an inspired Alcaraz probably won’t let that happen in Miami.
Pick: Alcaraz in 2