Carlos Alcaraz got off to a winning start in his quest for a second Miami Open title after overcoming rising star Joao Fonseca in straight sets on Saturday. 

Alcaraz, who last won the tournament in 2022 against Casper Ruud, will face Sebastian Korda in the next round after his 6-4 6-4 triumph over Brazilian Fonseca. 

In the first meeting between the two at ATP level, Alcaraz started strongly and broke Fonseca in the third game of the first set as he quickly asserted his dominance in the match. 

Fonseca missed the chance to get the better of the top seed's serve soon after, and Alcaraz made the most of that reprieve to claim the early advantage.

And from there, Alcaraz assumed control in the second, breaking his opponent in the opening game before sealing the win with a venomous serve that whistled past Fonseca. 

But the Spaniard acknowledged he had to be at his best to win, saying: "I think I was really good in crucial moments. I was really good from the beginning until the last ball. 

"I know how good Joao is, and that's why I was really focused, every point, every shot. 

"I'm just happy to stay calm, to stay positive in those moments. Most of the games, I just served pretty well, which was a really great weapon today for me."

The first of many meetings @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/47nj4KVsPK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 21, 2026

Elsewhere, there was a shock exit for fifth seed Alex de Minaur, who was beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in a match that lasted for one hour and 25 minutes. 

The victory saw Tsitsipas claim his first ATP top 10 win at a Masters 1000 event since securing tournament victory in Monte Carlo in 2024, defeating Ruud in the final.

It also continued Tsitsipas' dominant head-to-head record against the Australian. He has now won 12 of their 13 meetings, and will take on Arthur Fils in the next round. 

Taylor Fritz was put through his paces during his opening match in Miami, with the American needing three sets to battle past Botic van de Zandschulp. 

Sixth seed Fritz needed just over two hours to secure a 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 victory to set up a clash with compatriot Reilly Opelka, who had stunned Jack Draper earlier in the day.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz hits back after Indian Wells disappointment

Playing in his first match since suffering his first loss of the 2026 season to Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals, Alcaraz looked back to his blistering best in what looks set to be the first of many meetings with the brilliant Fonseca. 

And despite still being 22-years-old, Alcaraz continued to prove why he is the world number one. He remains undefeated at ATP level against opponents younger than him, winning all 13 of those matches. 

Alcaraz (78.1%, 89-25) also now only trails two players (minimum 20 matches) for career win rate at ATP Masters 1000 events since 1990, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic out in front.