Upsets reshape the Miami Open’s second week as top seeds fall across both draws

A tournament entering its decisive phase with an unsettled field

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Open’s second week has been defined by a widening list of unexpected results, with multiple top seeds pushed out and several lower-ranked or unseeded players moving into prime positions at Hard Rock Stadium. With main-draw play running March 17–29, 2026, the event’s final rounds are unfolding against a backdrop of increased volatility across both the ATP and WTA draws.

The pattern has not been limited to one side of the tournament. Early-round defeats of highly seeded players have altered projected matchups, reshaping the pathway to the semifinals and finals and increasing the likelihood of first-time deep runs for players outside the pre-tournament favorites.

Women’s draw: an early exit for a leading contender changes the bracket

On the WTA side, one of the most consequential results of the tournament came when world No. 2 Iga Swiatek was eliminated in her opening match. Swiatek, a former Miami champion, received a bye into the second round under tournament seeding rules but did not advance beyond her first appearance.

Swiatek’s departure materially changed the competitive landscape in her section of the draw, removing a player who typically anchors late-round expectations at WTA 1000 events. The result also opened a clearer route for remaining contenders in that quarter, as well as for mid-ranked players seeking to break through into the later stages.

Men’s draw: seeded players tested as margins tighten on hard courts

On the ATP side, the tournament has also seen seeded players face immediate pressure in matches where service games and short momentum swings have been decisive. The Miami Open’s hard courts have historically rewarded aggressive first-strike tennis, and this year’s second week has underscored how narrow the separation can be between top seeds and opponents capable of sustaining high-level serving and returning over two tight sets or a three-set swing.

In this year’s event, the men’s bracket has already shown that established names are not insulated from early danger, particularly when opponents serve efficiently and force extended tiebreak sequences. That dynamic has helped create a second week in which several projected matchups have not materialized and late-round slots remain less predictable than in a typical Masters 1000 calendar stop.

What the upset wave means heading into the closing rounds

As the tournament advances toward its final sessions, the accumulation of surprises is producing two simultaneous effects: fewer “locked-in” matchups between top seeds, and more opportunities for players with momentum to sustain it into quarterfinal and semifinal territory. The schedule leaves little room for recovery, and each round increases the physical and tactical demands on those still in contention.

• The women’s draw has already absorbed the loss of a top-two seed, changing competitive balance in multiple quarters.
• The men’s draw continues to show vulnerability among seeded players when matches are decided by small margins, especially in tiebreak-heavy contests.
• The second week is increasingly shaped by form and execution rather than seed position alone.

With top-ranked players no longer uniformly occupying the late rounds, Miami’s closing stretch is being defined by shifting matchups and a more open path to the title.

The Miami Open’s final week will determine whether the turbulence settles into a familiar outcome or culminates in a championship run that reflects the disruption seen throughout the middle rounds.