Shell-Shocked Carlos Alcaraz Exits Miami Open To Unbelievable David Goffin
News
Carlos Alcaraz suffered the most significant upset of the ATP season so far after losing to an inspired David Goffin in the round of 64 at the 2025 Miami Open.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was playing his first match since losing to Jack Draper in the semifinal of the 2025 Indian Wells Open, denying him the chance to win a third consecutive title in California.
Alcaraz has fond memories of the Miami Open. He won his first Masters 1000 title at the age of just 18 in 2022. The former world No. 1 has not reached a final at the event since then, losing in the semifinals in 2023 and quarterfinals in 2024.
Goffin was a heavy underdog for the match. The Belgian has enjoyed an excellent career, but is now 34 and had to overcome physical issues in recent years to return to the ATP Tour.
However, the 2017 ATP Finals runner-up proved what he can still do with an exceptional victory against Ben Shelton last month at the 2025 Mexican Open. That contest included Goffin becoming fired up and mocking Shelton after the American loudly celebrated his opponent shanking a forehand.
Alcaraz and Goffin performed at a high level throughout most of the first set. The No. 2 seed had two break point chances at 15-40, but the veteran then produced four great points in a row, including bettering the crowd favorite in a 16-shot rally to save the second break point.
The pair continued to go toe-to-toe, with Goffin possibly surprising some by not being scared of playing long rallies. That baseline consistency has been the cornerstone of his career, and he continues to back himself from the back of the court.
Goffin was rewarded with the match's first break in the seventh game. Alcaraz hit two delightful drop volleys in that game, but made some poor shot selections in the other points and fell 3-4 and a break down.
That seemed to be a wake-up call for Alcaraz, who responded with a superb return game to retrieve the break immediately. Goffin was left helpless by the 21-year-old's outstanding hitting.
The Belgian's level dropped for the first time in the 12th game. He made some costly unforced errors that allowed Alcaraz to break to love and take a thoroughly entertaining opening set 7-5.
Many undoubtedly expected Goffin to wilt after that setback. To his immense credit, he shook off the disappointment and stuck with Alcaraz throughout the second set. Both men held serve in the first seven games, which included an absurd backhand winner from the Spaniard off a Goffin smash.
Goffin got pushed to deuce at 3-4, but held his cool to hold. The crowd was then left stunned when the Belgian took his second break point chance in the next game after showing incredible athleticism to retrieve an Alcaraz drop shot.
That was followed by Goffin emphatically serving out the set to win it 6-4 and set up a decider in front of the fans on Stadium Court, who roared before the first game of the third set to try to lift Alcaraz.
Instead, the crowd was left even more amazed by Goffin breaking Alcaraz from 0-30 down in the opening game after some loose errors from the two-time Wimbledon winner, who began to look rattled.
After Goffin held for 2-0, Alcaraz had a passionate exchange with Juan Carlos Ferrero. The 2022 champion in Miami was on the brink after falling a break point down again, but saved it with a smooth volley before playing to the crowd after holding.
Alcaraz continued to try to involve the fans, but it did not faze his veteran opponent. For example, the 21-year-old fired up himself and the crowd after going from 0-40 to 30-40 on Goffin's serve in the sixth game before the Belgian won the next point and the game to silence them again.
The pre-match favorite had an opportunity to get the break back in the eighth game. He was 30-0 up, but missed a routine second serve return and forehand in the middle of the court to help Goffin to hold.
Goffiin did not need to serve it out. He secured one of the most memorable triumphs of his career after breaking again on his second match point to secure a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win and leave Alcaraz stunned.
