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Agence France-Presse

Sebastian Korda stared down Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, sending the world No 1 crashing out of the Miami Open third round 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while China’s Zheng Qinwen beat former Australian Open champion Madison Keys before explaining her “double-coach” situation.
Korda, ranked 36th in the world, notched his first victory over a world No 1, sending Alcaraz to his second straight early exit in Miami following defeat by 55th-ranked Belgian David Goffin in round two last year.
Since that loss, Alcaraz had built a remarkable 73-6 winning record, including a 16-0 start to 2026 that featured an Australian Open triumph to complete his career grand slam and a title in Doha.
“It feels great,” said Korda, who has been ranked as high as 15th in the world but has endured two injury-disrupted seasons.
“I took the scenic route, that’s for sure – a little more stress than I would want but happy with how I played, happy with how I stayed with it.”

Korda will face qualifier Martin Landaluce for a place in the quarter-finals after the Spaniard ousted Russian No 14 seed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6.
On the women’s side, Zheng Qinwen has clarified her seemingly having two coaches after beating Keys 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in their round three match.
Questions around Zheng’s coaching team have persisted since late February, when fans noticed she had unfollowed long-time mentor Pere Riba on social media, fuelling talk of a split.
The 23-year-old then arrived at Indian Wells earlier this month with Marcos Baghdatis in her box, formally adding his name to her team ahead of the BNP Paribas Open.
A former Australian Open finalist with top-four finishes at both the French Open and Wimbledon, Baghdatis had previously coached Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and China’s Wu Yibing.
Zheng clarified that Riba remained an important part of her camp.
“I always wanted to have a second coach,” Zheng said. “I really believe Pere is still helping me a lot, especially after [we have been] working together for five years.
“Marcos is new, he just joined Indian Wells and I really hope we can work well together, but we are still in a trial period. Right now I just want to stay focused on my match next round.”

The 2024 Olympic champion will face world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday, after the top seed and title holder beat Caty McNally 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets.
Zheng’s win over Keys was her first over a top-20 player since elbow surgery last July.
“I think it is nice to compete with all of the girls. I really need to be in front of the crowds to play such an intense match, and my body likes pressure. During these six months when I am totally going without [the pressure of the game], I feel my life is so boring, honestly so boring without tennis,” Zheng said.
Speaking to Chinese media later, Zheng said she welcomed the “double-coach” pattern because she hoped the two could bring “new things” to her game.
“Riba and I have worked together for a long time, so of course there are moments when we argue a bit in court. I hope a new coach can bring something different and help my tennis make a new kind of progress.”
At the same time, Zheng acknowledged the arrangement would take time to settle.
“For the two of them to work together, they definitely need more time to find the right balance. I also hope this pattern can continue in the future,” Zheng said.
“I am not someone who only looks at the short term; I want a long-term change. Any new element in a team needs a period of adjustment, so I want to give both of them more time, and give myself more time as well,” Zheng added.


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Sport

Tennis

Spaniard is knocked out early for second year running, while China’s No 1 wins first match against top 20 player since elbow surgery


Spaniard is knocked out early for second year running, while China’s No 1 wins first match against top 20 player since elbow surgery.


Aryna Sabalenka

Zheng Qinwen

Madison Keys

Miami Open: Alcaraz crashes out again; Zheng to face Sabalenka, explains ‘2-coach’ policy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Spaniard is knocked out early for second year running, while China’s No 1 wins first match against top 20 player since elbow surgery

Spaniard is knocked out early for second year running, while China’s No 1 wins first match against top 20 player since elbow surgery