Carlos Alcaraz struggles for form in a tough Miami Open loss.
Carlos Alcaraz exited the Miami Open early in a surprising second-round defeat against Belgium’s David Goffin. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who previously claimed the Miami Open title in 2022, struggled for consistency throughout the match, ultimately falling 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to the world number 55. Alcaraz, who had reached the semi-finals at Indian Wells last week, admitted to not playing at the level expected, describing his performance as poor. The 21-year-old Spaniard expressed disappointment in his game, stating that although he had felt physically fine leading up to the match, he could not produce the tennis he had anticipated.
Alcaraz’s unforced errors proved costly, committing 42 mistakes throughout the encounter, allowing Goffin to capitalize on key moments. Goffin, who became the first player ranked outside the top 30 to defeat Alcaraz, reflected on the victory as a significant milestone. The Belgian highlighted the experience of playing against a top-ranked opponent in such a setting, calling it a night to remember.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic returned to the Miami Open, snapping a three-match losing streak with a dominant 6-0, 7-6 (7-1) victory over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who last played in Miami in 2019, started strong by securing the first set without conceding a game. Despite a more competitive second set, Djokovic controlled the tie-break, securing his place in the next round, where he will face world number 69 Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina. Djokovic emphasized his confidence in his tactical approach and expressed encouragement in his performance, stating that he played at a high level from the beginning.
Beyond the on-court action, Djokovic’s presence at the tournament follows the recent legal action taken by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), which he co-founded, against tennis’ governing bodies. While the lawsuit has been a significant talking point leading up to the event, Djokovic remained focused, showing no signs of distraction during his commanding victory.
In the tournament, seventh seed and former champion Daniil Medvedev suffered a surprising 6-2, 6-3 defeat to Spain’s Jaume Munar. Medvedev struggled with 32 unforced errors, failing to find a rhythm against the world number 56. Norwegian Casper Ruud faced a challenge, dropping the first set before rallying to defeat Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov delivered a convincing performance, easing past Italy’s Federico Cina 6-1, 6-4.
Read More: Nick Kyrgios Faces Injury
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who secured his first tour-level victory since 2022 earlier in the week, could not build momentum, suffering a 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 defeat to Karen Khachanov. The loss marked an abrupt end to Kyrgios’ campaign as he continued his return to competitive play.
The Miami Open continues with top contenders advancing, surprises unfolding, and high-stakes competition shaping the tournament’s narrative.
