Martin Landaluce pulled off a stunning comeback victory over Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open, rallying from a set down to win 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the Round of 16. The Spaniard saved his tournament by winning a tense second-set tiebreak 8-6, then rode that momentum to close out the upset in three sets.
Korda dominated the opening set behind a blistering serve, firing 11 aces and winning 81% of first-serve points. But after dropping the first set in just 30 minutes, Landaluce tightened his return game and forced Korda into longer rallies. The second-set tiebreak proved decisive — Landaluce saved set points and converted his third set point to level the match. From there, Korda’s game unraveled. The American, who had beaten Carlos Alcaraz just days earlier, appeared mentally spent as Landaluce broke once in the third set and served out the victory.
Landaluce finished with just 16 unforced errors to Korda’s 13, compensating for his opponent’s superior firepower. Despite being out-aced 11 to 4 and trailing in total points won (95-92), the underdog found a way to win the moments that mattered most.
Key Takeaways
- Landaluce won despite losing the total points count 95-92 and being out-hit 36 winners to 20, proving his superiority in clutch moments — specifically the 8-6 second-set tiebreak that saved his tournament.
- Korda’s 11 aces represented nearly 4x his opponent’s output and matched his hard court average of 11.4 per match, yet the serve advantage evaporated in decisive moments as Landaluce’s return pressure forced errors.
- The upset marks a dramatic reversal of momentum for Korda, who entered on a 9-1 hard court run and had just defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round — potential mental fatigue from that upset may have contributed to his third-set collapse.
- Landaluce’s 7 double faults (more than double Korda’s 4) nearly cost him the match, but his ability to keep unforced errors to just 16 despite defensive pressure proved the difference in a match he had no business winning on paper.
Player Analysis
Martin Landaluce
The young Spaniard produced the performance of his career, outplaying an opponent with vastly superior hard court credentials. With only 1 career hard court win entering this match, Landaluce had no right to compete with Korda — yet his composure in the second-set tiebreak and discipline in the third set demonstrated remarkable maturity. His 67% first-serve percentage and 77% points won on first serves kept him competitive despite Korda’s firepower advantage. The 7 double faults were alarming, but he limited unforced errors to 16 and forced Korda to earn every point in the final two sets.
Landaluce’s 4 aces paled in comparison to Korda’s 11, but his return game proved the equalizer. By neutralizing Korda’s biggest weapon in the tiebreak and final set, he exposed the American’s vulnerability when unable to dictate with the serve. This upset announcement on the ATP hard court scene could not be more emphatic.
Sebastian Korda
Korda’s post-Alcaraz letdown was stark and disappointing. After out-acing Landaluce nearly 3-to-1 and winning the opening set with ease, the three-time ATP title winner appeared poised for a routine victory. His 81% first-serve points won and 36 winners reflected his superior shot-making, yet none of it mattered once the second-set tiebreak slipped away. The mental toll of upsetting Alcaraz days earlier may have caught up to him — his second-serve winning percentage of 47% was exploited by Landaluce’s aggression, and he failed to convert key break opportunities in the deciding set.
The loss exposes a recurring issue for Korda: an inability to sustain peak performance across consecutive high-stakes matches. With a 115-71 career hard court record, he remains a dangerous player, but his tendency to follow breakthrough wins with inexplicable losses remains a barrier to consistent deep runs at Masters 1000 events.
Match Statistics
| Martin Landaluce | Stat | Sebastian Korda |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Aces | 11 |
| 7 | Double Faults | 4 |
| 67% | 1st Serve % | 60% |
| 77% | 1st Serve Points Won | 81% |
| 39% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 47% |
| 20 | Winners | 36 |
| 16 | Unforced Errors | 13 |
| 92 | Total Points Won | 95 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Martin Landaluce vs Sebastian Korda at Miami 2026?
Martin Landaluce defeated Sebastian Korda 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the Round of 16 at the Miami Open on March 24, 2026.
How many aces did Sebastian Korda hit against Martin Landaluce?
Korda hit 11 aces compared to Landaluce’s 4, nearly tripling his opponent’s output, yet still lost the match in three sets.
Who won the Miami Open Round of 16 match between Landaluce and Korda?
Martin Landaluce won after rallying from a set down, clinching the victory by winning a crucial second-set tiebreak 8-6 and dominating the final set 6-4.
What was the key moment in the Landaluce vs Korda Miami match?
The second-set tiebreak, which Landaluce won 8-6, was the turning point — saving his tournament and shifting all momentum in his favor for the deciding third set.
What’s Next
Landaluce advances to the Miami Open quarterfinals, where he will face either the tournament’s top seed or another seeded opponent — a remarkable achievement for a player with minimal hard court experience. For Korda, the loss ends a promising Miami run and raises questions about his ability to maintain focus after emotional victories.
