The ATP Masters 1000 Miami Open presented by Itau delivered a night of riveting tennis drama on March 21, 2026, as Alexander Shevchenko stunned ninth-seeded Ben Shelton in a three-set thriller, 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3, to advance to the third round. The result sent shockwaves through the Miami crowd and marked a significant milestone for Shevchenko, who notched his third career Top 10 victory and continued his impressive run at ATP Masters 1000 events.
Heading into the Round of 64, all eyes were on Ben Shelton, the 21-year-old American sensation ranked No. 9 in the world. With a 28-13 record on hard courts over the past year and two titles to his name, Shelton was heavily favored to progress, with bookmakers giving him a massive 90% implied probability to win (-901 odds). His opponent, World No. 84 Alexander Shevchenko, entered as the clear underdog (+525 odds) and had yet to claim a hard court title in the previous 12 months, boasting a 12-13 record on the surface.
Shelton came into Miami looking to improve his fortunes at his home state’s premier tournament, having managed just one win in four previous appearances. His last outing saw him fall to Learner Tien in the third round at Indian Wells. Shevchenko, meanwhile, had just defeated Arnaldi in a grueling three-setter in the opening round, showing early signs of resilience and determination despite a recent stretch of injuries that had hampered his 2025 season.
The Miami Open night session crowd was firmly behind Shelton, whose explosive left-handed serve and aggressive forehand have become hallmarks of his game. Early on, Shelton looked every bit the favorite, dominating on serve and taking the opening set in a tense tiebreak, 7-6(3). According to Infosys ATP Stats, Shelton’s win rate on first and second serves hovered above 80% for much of the match, underscoring his early control.
But Shevchenko, a 25-year-old Kazakhstani who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 45 in 2024, refused to back down. Despite not creating a single break point in the first two sets, he stayed within striking distance, using aggressive baseline play and clever shot selection to blunt Shelton’s attacks. The turning point came late in the second set, when Shevchenko found himself two points from defeat at 4-5, 15/30. Summoning his best tennis, he forced a tiebreak and seized it 7-3, leveling the match and sending a jolt of tension through the Miami crowd.
"It takes 100 per cent to stay in the match all the time against these kind of players," Shevchenko said after his victory. "There was a moment that I was feeling a little bit tired, but as soon as I got the momentum back, I was bringing the energy back." The quote, delivered with visible emotion, captured the grit and fighting spirit that defined his performance.
With momentum on his side, Shevchenko struck early in the deciding set, breaking Shelton in the second game—his first break point opportunity of the match. From there, he pressed his advantage, forcing Shelton into baseline errors and reducing the American’s second serve win rate to 58% by the end of the contest. The Kazakhstani showed nerves of steel, losing just one point in his final two service games and sealing the upset with a swinging-volley winner that sent his team into celebration.
"I’m an emotional guy and I love when my team also is pumped. I loved every second of it," Shevchenko told reporters. "When Ben especially is also pumped and I have to play against the stadium, I need at least three guys supporting me!" The crowd’s energy, far from intimidating, seemed to fuel Shevchenko’s determination in the clutch moments.
The loss is a tough pill for Shelton, whose Miami Open record now stands at 1-4. It also marks his worst defeat by ATP ranking since losing to No. 192 Coleman Wong in Miami last year. For Shevchenko, the win represents his fourth appearance in the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 event, having previously reached that stage in Madrid and Rome in 2023 and Shanghai in 2024. His previous Top 10 victories came against Taylor Fritz in Basel (2023) and Holger Rune in Rotterdam (2024), but this win on American soil—against a home favorite—may be the most memorable yet.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Ugo Humbert continued his strong form with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 win over Gabriel Diallo. Humbert, who had lost four of his last five matches prior to Miami, looked rejuvenated as he booked his spot in the third round. The Frenchman, who boasts deeper experience at the Masters 1000 level, will now face Shevchenko in what promises to be a compelling clash of contrasting styles.
Frances Tiafoe, another American hopeful, was favored to defeat Arthur Cazaux in their 1/32-finals matchup, with bookmakers and analysts alike pointing to Tiafoe’s comfort on home soil and Cazaux’s recent fitness struggles. Tiafoe, who lost to Alexander Zverev in Indian Wells, was looking to bounce back and make a deep run in Miami after a third-round exit last year.
Meanwhile, third seed Alexander Zverev made a statement of his own, dispatching wild card Martin Damm 6-2, 6-4 to extend his record for most ATP Masters 1000 wins this decade to 103. Zverev’s dominance against players outside the Top 100—now at 15 straight victories—remains one of the most impressive streaks on tour. "He’s somebody that’s extremely dangerous, has a massive serve, massive game," Zverev said of Damm. "I’m happy with the match, happy with my level, and looking forward to what’s ahead." Zverev will next face Marin Cilic, who saved a match point to upset 27th seed Brandon Nakashima in a late-night thriller.
As the Miami Open heads into its third round, the tournament is already delivering on its promise of upsets, high drama, and breakout performances. With Shevchenko’s stunning victory over Shelton, the draw has opened up in unexpected ways, offering fresh storylines and renewed hope for underdogs. Humbert versus Shevchenko now looms as a fascinating encounter, while established stars like Zverev continue their march toward the title.
One thing’s for sure: the Miami heat isn’t just on the weather—it’s alive on the courts, too. Fans can expect more fireworks as the ATP Masters 1000 Miami Open rolls on, with every match promising the kind of twists and turns that have already defined this year’s tournament.