Goals Denied: Korda and Fritz Fall in Intestine-Wrenching Miami Losses

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 24, 2026Photo credit score: BNP Paribas Open Fb

A Components One observe, nonetheless below development, snakes round Arduous Rock Stadium.

At present, American seeds Taylor Fritz and Sebastia Korda endured three-set twists and turns developing agonizingly wanting the end line.

One spherical after Korda surprised world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, he did not convert match level within the tiebreaker dropping to Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

The 20-year-old 20-year-old Landaluce is the primary man born in 2006 or later to succeed in an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.

Jiri Lehecka topped 2025 semifinalist Fritz 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2 to attain his first Prime 10 win since he defeated Fritz within the Davis Cup Qualifier staged in Delray Seashore final September.

The Twenty first-seeded Lehecka denied Fritz his 350th profession Tour-level win, together with a 250th profession victory on onerous courts.

Within the larger image, the early afternoon exits of two gifted People appeared to noticeably sprint goals of an American finalist. The day started on a historic excessive: It was the primary time since 1996 5 American males reached the Miami spherical of 16: Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Alex Michelsen.

Intestine-wrenching losses by Korda and Fritz and the very fact Michelsen faces world No. 2 Jannik Sinner at the moment, places American hopes on the shoulders of Tiafoe and Paul.

It was an excellent third-set serving show from Lehecka, who lashed seven of his 10 aces within the ultimate set. At one level, Lehecka lasered via a three-ace recreation holding for a 5-2 lead.

Lehecka bumped a drop shot winner for a second match level. Fritz hit his second double fault to finish a two hour, 25-minute battle.

It’s the third profession ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal for Lehecka, who will face the 151st-ranked Landaluce for a semifinal spot.

After Alcaraz’s beautiful exit, it’s Landaluce who has captivated Spanish followers in South Florida.

Aiming to construct on the most important win of his profession, Korda performed close to flawless tennis constructing a 6-2, 6-6, 6-5 lead within the tiebreaker.

Serving up match level, you may’t fault Korda for attempting to tie the lanky Landaluce up with a physique serve on second serve.

Solely Landaluce leaped throughout it and blasted a clear backhand return strike to erase match level.

When Korda missed his two-hander crosscourt, the qualifier had set level.

Leaning right into a vicious forehand strike crosscourt, Landaluce ended the second set with a scream.

Throughout that stretch, Landaluce was controlling a few of the key crosscourt forehand exchanges as he drew an errant forehand breaking for a 2-0 third-set lead.