Martín Landaluce saves match point to beat Sebastian Korda and reach first Miami Open quarterfinal
A qualifier’s breakthrough in Miami Gardens
Martín Landaluce produced the defining win of his young career at the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, rallying past American Sebastian Korda in the tournament’s fourth round to reach the first Masters 1000 quarterfinal of his career. Landaluce won 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in 2 hours and 28 minutes, saving a match point along the way.
The result extended a notable run for the 20-year-old Spaniard, who entered the main draw through qualifying and has now recorded multiple wins over top-50 opponents during the event. For Korda, the loss ended a strong Miami campaign that included a headline victory earlier in the tournament over Carlos Alcaraz.
How the match turned: one point from elimination
Korda controlled the early stages, taking the first set 6-2 with clean baseline timing and efficient service games. Landaluce steadied as the match progressed, lifting his level in longer exchanges and improving his first-serve patterns to reduce Korda’s ability to attack second serves.
The second set swung on its tightest margins. Landaluce faced match point before forcing a tiebreak, where he escaped again, edging it 8-6. From there, the Spaniard maintained his momentum in the deciding set, closing 6-4 and converting his chances under pressure to complete the comeback.
Personal dedication after an emotional win
After the match, Landaluce dedicated the victory to his late grandmother, describing the win as personally significant on a day when he had to manage both the scoreboard and emotions. The dedication added a human dimension to a result that also carries substantial sporting consequences: a place in the quarterfinals of one of the ATP Tour’s premier hard-court events.
What the result means for both players
For Landaluce: The quarterfinal appearance represents his deepest run at Masters 1000 level and a milestone for a player whose junior resume includes the 2022 U.S. Open boys’ singles title.
For Korda: The American’s Miami run reinforced his ability to beat elite opponents, but the fourth-round loss highlighted how quickly matches can turn in best-of-three tennis when a single point decides a set.
Landaluce’s comeback was sealed by winning the match’s highest-leverage moments: saving match point, taking the second-set tiebreak, and closing out the third set without letting the finish line drift.
Next step: a quarterfinal spot secured
With the win, Landaluce advances to the Miami Open quarterfinals for the first time. The victory also continues a tournament narrative defined by emerging players making significant inroads deep into the draw, with Landaluce’s turnaround against a home contender standing out as one of the week’s most consequential results.