Dreams Denied: Korda and Fritz Fall in Gut-Wrenching Miami Losses

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

A Formula One track, still under construction, snakes around Hard Rock Stadium.

Today, American seeds Taylor Fritz and Sebastia Korda endured three-set twists and turns coming up agonizingly short of the finish line.

One round after Korda stunned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, he failed to convert match point in the tiebreaker losing to Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

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

Jiri Lehecka topped 2025 semifinalist Fritz 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2 to score his first Top 10 win since he defeated Fritz in the Davis Cup Qualifier staged in Delray Beach last September.

The 21st-seeded Lehecka denied Fritz his 350th career Tour-level win, including a 250th career victory on hard courts.

In the bigger picture, the early afternoon exits of two talented Americans seemed to seriously dash dreams of an American finalist. The day began on a historic high: It was the first time since 1996 five American men reached the Miami round of 16: Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Alex Michelsen.

Gut-wrenching losses by Korda and Fritz and the fact Michelsen faces world No. 2 Jannik Sinner today, puts American hopes on the shoulders of Tiafoe and Paul.

It was a superb third-set serving display from Lehecka, who lashed seven of his 10 aces in the final set. At one point, Lehecka lasered through a three-ace game holding for a 5-2 lead.

Lehecka bumped a drop shot winner for a second match point. Fritz hit his second double fault to end a two hour, 25-minute struggle.

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

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

Aiming to build on the biggest win of his career, Korda played near flawless tennis building a 6-2, 6-6, 6-5 lead in the tiebreaker.

Serving up match point, you can’t fault Korda for trying to tie the lanky Landaluce up with a body serve on second serve.

Only Landaluce leaped all over it and blasted a clean backhand return strike to erase match point.

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

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

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