Episode 19

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Published on:

26th Mar 2026

Ep 19 - Miami Chaos: Alcaraz Shock Loss, De Minaur Struggles & Semi-Final Showdowns

🎾 Miami Chaos, Shock Upsets & Semi-Final Showdowns

Welcome back to Talkn Tennis as we hit crunch time at the Miami Open 2026. This week, the draw has been blown wide open with shock exits, breakout performances, and huge questions over some of the game’s biggest names.

Adam, Chrissy P, and Vargos break it all down — from Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning loss to Sebastian Korda, to Alex de Minaur’s worrying dip in form, plus full previews of the ATP & WTA semi-finals.

🔥 Key Topics

🚨 Alcaraz SHOCK Exit

  • Sebastian Korda stuns Carlos Alcaraz in a 3-set thriller
  • Elite composure after losing control in the second set
  • Tactical masterclass: controlled aggression & net play
  • What’s going wrong for Alcaraz in Miami?

🇦🇺 Is De Minaur in Trouble?

  • Straight-sets loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas (now 12–1 H2H)
  • Tsitsipas dominates behind serve (98% first serve points won 😳)
  • Early-season high → major drop-off in form
  • Is consistency becoming a serious issue?

🚀 Arthur Fils Breakout Moment

  • Saves 4 match points vs Tommy Paul in an all-time thriller
  • Wins 6 straight points in the deciding tiebreak
  • First Masters 1000 semi-final
  • France’s next superstar?

📈 Lehecka Ends the Fairytale

  • Jiri Lehecka stops Martin Landaluce’s dream run
  • Second Masters semi-final appearance
  • Landaluce emerges as a serious future threat

🌟 Talia Gibson’s Dream Run Continues

  • From outside Top 100 → inside Top 60 in weeks
  • Multiple Top-20 wins across Indian Wells & Miami
  • Aussie breakout star of the 2026 season

🔮 Miami Open Semi-Final Preview

🎾 ATP Side

  • Tiafoe vs Sinner
  • Cerundolo vs Zverev
  • Lehecka vs Fils

🎾 WTA Side

  • Gauff vs Muchova
  • Sabalenka vs Rybakina — potential rivalry of 2026

🎲 Fan Favourites

  • Battle of the Spuds 🌍
  • Who Am I – Miami Edition
  • Listener shoutouts (Greg from Virginia 👀)

🎧 Listen Now

If you’re loving the pod, don’t forget to follow, rate & share on Spotify or your favourite platform.

We’ll catch you next week 🎾

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About the Podcast

Talkn Tennis
Talkn Tennis is a weekly Australian tennis podcast with three mates breaking down ATP, WTA and Grand Slam drama over a drink or three
Talkn Tennis is an Australian tennis podcast recorded in Melbourne, hosted by Chris alongside Adam and Adrian, where they break down the biggest stories from the ATP and WTA tours, occasionally with a drink in hand.

Expect informed tennis discussion with more trash talk than Medvedev versus Tsitsipas.

There are no PR-approved answers or overly polite commentary here, just honest opinions, questionable predictions and the conversations tennis fans are already having in the deep dark corners of Reddit or X.

Each week, they unpack the latest results, tournament draws and major talking points from around the tour. From the Australian Open in Melbourne to Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Masters 1000 events, the United Cup and the Davis Cup. Talkn Tennis covers every stop on the jam-packed tennis calendar.

The boys discuss who will dethrone Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and bandwagon the latest up-and-comers from Joao Fonseca to Arthur Fils.

Chris continues to try and convince the boys that Elena Rybakina is actually the best player on the WTA, not Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, Adrian remains hopeful of an Iga Swiatek resurgence. They also keep close watch on the Australian contingent, from Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint to the party boy Nick Kyrgios and all his antics.

Each episode features:
• Honest reactions to the latest ATP and WTA action
• Grand Slam storylines, dark-horse selections and confident, sometimes correct predictions
• Discussion of players, rivalries and the moments everyone is talking about
• Tournament previews, recaps, listener questions and regular games
• Bad jokes, the occasional drink and debates that may permanently damage their friendship

From five-set classics and first-round disasters to coaching controversies, umpire blow-ups and unexpected breakout runs, Talkn Tennis covers the serious, strange and entertaining sides of professional tennis.

Talkn Tennis is not affiliated with the ATP or WTA and is almost certainly not approved by your local tennis club committee.

Subscribe and join the chaos each week. 🎾🍻

About your hosts

Adrian Purgaric

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Adrian "Gluten Free" Varjoss

Adam "The Animal" Blundetto

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Undefeated against his little brother in all-time matches
Took out Phils kid brother in one shot
Fils is a future World Number 1

Chris Anthony

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Adams brother