Martin Landaluce delivered a breakthrough upset at the Miami Open, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(2) in the Round of 32 on Sunday. The Spaniard neutralized Khachanov’s serve and crushed the Russian’s second-serve opportunities, winning 59% of points on Khachanov’s second delivery compared to just 36% for the seven-time titlist.
Landaluce seized control early, breaking in the opening set and never facing a break point across the entire match. Neither player generated a single break opportunity — a remarkable stat that underscored how comfortably Landaluce held despite landing only 52% of first serves. His weapons were precision and pace: 25 winners to Khachanov’s 12, compensating for 30 unforced errors that threatened to undermine his aggression.
The second set remained on serve until the tiebreak, where Landaluce dominated 7-2. Khachanov, who averaged 10.3 aces per match on hard courts this season, managed eight here but couldn’t convert his serve into holds when it mattered. Landaluce’s superior second-serve point winning and higher total points won (67-56) sealed a statement victory over a player with 202 career hard-court wins.
Key Takeaways
- Landaluce’s second-serve return game was devastating: he won 59% of points on Khachanov’s second serve, nearly double Khachanov’s 36% return rate, exposing a critical weakness in the Russian’s normally reliable service patterns.
- Despite landing only 52% of first serves — well below his 60% hard-court average — Landaluce won 78% of first-serve points, suggesting his serve placement and power compensated for inconsistency when the ball went in.
- Khachanov’s winner count collapsed to 12, less than half his hard-court average of 32.5 per match, indicating Landaluce’s court positioning and defensive skills forced the Russian into passive, low-margin tennis.
- The tiebreak margin (7-2) reflected Landaluce’s composure under pressure; he won 11 total points to Khachanov’s 56 across the match, controlling the critical moments despite his underdog status and recent 1-6 form.
Player Analysis
Martin Landaluce
Landaluce’s performance was a masterclass in exploiting opponent weaknesses. Entering with a dismal 1-6 record in his last seven matches and only three hard-court matches on record, the Spaniard showed zero fear. His return game was the difference: by punishing Khachanov’s second serve (59% points won), he negated the Russian’s primary weapon. The 25 winners demonstrated he wasn’t just defending — he was dictating, particularly on returns where he could step inside the baseline and take time away from Khachanov.
The five double faults were concerning, as was the 52% first-serve percentage, but Landaluce’s 78% winning percentage on first serves proved he could still dominate service games. His ability to avoid facing a single break point across two sets — despite the serving struggles — speaks to intelligent placement and clutch serving at deuce. This was a career-defining result for a player previously known more for clay-court potential than hard-court prowess.
Karen Khachanov
Khachanov’s second-serve collapse cost him the match. Winning just 36% of second-serve points — catastrophic for a player who averages 70% first-serve percentage — suggested either a tactical failure to vary his second delivery or a physical inability to generate pace. His eight aces were respectable but meant nothing when he couldn’t consolidate holds. The stat that haunts him: zero break points created. Against an opponent serving at 52%, that’s inexcusable for a player of his caliber.
The winner count tells the story of a player who never found his rhythm. Twelve winners against 26 unforced errors is borderline passive, especially for someone who averages 32.5 winners per hard-court match. Khachanov looked tentative on return, unable to press Landaluce’s shaky first-serve percentage into break opportunities. The 7-2 tiebreak shellacking confirmed his mental state: by the decisive moments, he’d already conceded the match psychologically. For a seven-time titlist with strong Miami history, this was a baffling capitulation.
Match Statistics
| Martin Landaluce | Stat | Karen Khachanov |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Aces | 8 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 52% | 1st Serve % | 66% |
| 78% | 1st Serve Points Won | 70% |
| 59% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 36% |
| 25 | Winners | 12 |
| 30 | Unforced Errors | 26 |
| 67 | Total Points Won | 56 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Martin Landaluce vs Karen Khachanov at Miami 2026?
Martin Landaluce defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(2) in the Round of 32 at the Miami Open 2026.
How did Martin Landaluce beat Karen Khachanov at Miami?
Landaluce dominated Khachanov’s second serve, winning 59% of points compared to Khachanov’s 36%, and hit 25 winners to Khachanov’s 12 while never facing a break point.
How many aces did Karen Khachanov hit against Martin Landaluce?
Khachanov hit 8 aces compared to Landaluce’s 3, but couldn’t convert his serve advantage into holds when it mattered most.
Who won the Miami Open Round of 32 match between Landaluce and Khachanov?
Martin Landaluce won in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(2), advancing to the Round of 16 in a major upset over the seven-time titlist.
What’s Next
Landaluce advances to the Round of 16 at Miami, where he’ll face another seeded opponent as he chases his first ATP title. Khachanov’s early exit raises questions about his form heading into the clay season, where he’s historically struggled to replicate his hard-court success.
