Emma Raducanu's Miami Open match against fellow British player Sonay Kartal has been canceled as the former US Open champion withdraws from the tournament. Raducanu, seeded 24th, was set to face Kartal in the third round but will not compete due to ongoing health issues. The withdrawal marks her second absence from a tournament in three years, following a similar exit in 2024 after a lower back injury. The cancellation comes as Raducanu continues to deal with the lingering effects of a viral infection she contracted during a recent tournament in the Middle East. She had previously struggled with health problems during the Cluj tournament, where she reached the final. Her absence from the Miami Open is expected to result in a drop in her ranking, which could have long-term implications for her career. Raducanu was anticipated to face Kartal, a close friend and fellow British player, in the tournament. Kartal, who had to first overcome Peyton Stearns in the previous round, was seen as a potential highlight for British fans. However, the matchup will not materialize, leaving fans disappointed. Raducanu’s recent performance at the Indian Wells tournament showed some signs of improvement, as she reached the third round. She lost to Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, acknowledging the gap in power and serve speed between them. “When I'm playing someone at the top like that, I think they have an extra 10 miles an hour on their serve,” she said. She emphasized the need to be more aggressive in matches against top players but admitted there is still room for growth. Raducanu has also been without a full-time coach since splitting with Francisco Roig in January. While she worked with Mark Petchey during the Indian Wells tournament, their partnership is now uncertain following her Miami withdrawal.#emma_raducanu #indian_wells_tournament #miami_open #sonay_kartal #cluj_tournament
Daniil Medvedev hands Carlos Alcaraz first loss of 2026 Daniil Medvedev defeated top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells tournament, securing his first win of the year and advancing to the final with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory on Saturday. The 11th-seeded Russian player will face second-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy in the championship match. Sinner, who had previously defeated Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4, will now compete against Medvedev after ending Zverev’s hopes of a final showdown with Alcaraz. Alcaraz, who had won 16 consecutive matches in 2026, including titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open, saw his unbeaten streak broken by Medvedev. This victory marks the first time Medvedev has defeated Alcaraz since the US Open semifinals in 2023. The Russian player had previously lost four straight matches against Alcaraz, including the 2024 Indian Wells final. Sinner’s victory over Zverev was swift, lasting just 1 hour, 23 minutes. The Italian player recorded six aces against the fourth-seeded Zverev, who had dominated service points in the early stages of the match. However, Sinner broke Zverev’s serve in the fifth and seventh games of the first set, securing the set and taking control of the match. Sinner now holds a 7-4 head-to-head advantage over Zverev. Both Medvedev and Sinner have remained undefeated in this tournament, with Sinner winning his last three matches against Medvedev, including the 2024 US Open quarterfinals. The final will mark their first meeting since the 2023 US Open, where Sinner advanced to the semifinals. In the women’s doubles final, Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova claimed victory over Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 scoreline.#jannik_sinner #alexander_zverev #indian_wells_tournament #carlos_alcaraz #daniil_medvedev
Jessica Pegula Reflects on Her Emotional Outburst During Crucial Match Jessica Pegula, the fifth-seeded American player, revealed that her tendency to remain composed on the court has made it difficult for others to recognize her frustration during high-pressure moments. However, this dynamic shifted dramatically during her third-round match at the Indian Wells tournament against Jelena Ostapenko. The match, which saw Ostapenko dominate the early stages, became a turning point for Pegula as she confronted her emotions and ultimately staged a remarkable comeback. Pegula, known for her typically reserved demeanor, admitted that her frustration became more visible during the match. Ostapenko, the 26th-seeded Latvian, took control early, leading 6-4 in the first set and 2-0 in the second. At that point, Pegula’s frustration began to surface, with her body language and reactions betraying her internal struggle. She described feeling like she was reliving past challenges, where she had to overcome similar situations. “I was just like, here we go again,” she said, acknowledging her hope that Ostapenko might not start as strongly. Despite her initial frustration, Pegula’s emotional release seemed to catalyze a shift in her performance. After breaking Ostapenko’s serve in the sixth game of the second set, she gained momentum, securing three more breaks to take control of the match. The turning point came as she managed to break Ostapenko’s serve repeatedly, leading to a decisive 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. In the aftermath, Pegula addressed how her emotional outburst played a role in her ability to refocus. She admitted that her usual lack of outward expression made it harder for others to notice her internal struggles.#tennis #indian_wells_tournament #jelena_ostapenko #jessica_pegula #belinda_bencic
World No. 11 Daniil Medvedev advances to the fourth round of the Indian Wells tournament with a decisive victory over Sebastian Baez. The Russian secured a 6-4, 6-0 win in just one hour and 18 minutes, showcasing his dominance on the court. Medvedev’s performance was marked by his ability to neutralize Baez’s threats while capitalizing on key opportunities. The Argentine, ranked 42nd in the world, managed to stay competitive in the first set but struggled to maintain pressure as Medvedev took control in the second. The Russian saved all four break points he faced and converted half of Baez’s return points into four crucial breaks from 13 opportunities. The match began with Medvedev forcing nearly 30 unforced errors from Baez, particularly in the early stages. After a tense exchange of holds, Medvedev seized control in the fifth game by stepping in on Baez’s return. The Russian then capitalized on a critical break point in the fifth game, using Baez’s mistake to take an early lead. Medvedev held firm despite Baez’s efforts to stay in the set, saving two break points in the sixth game to build a 4-2 advantage. Baez fought back in the ninth game, saving two set points to extend the set. However, Medvedev regained momentum, securing three more set points on his serve and finally clinching the first set with a powerful service winner. The second set saw Baez falter immediately, losing his serve in the first game after a slice error. Medvedev continued to dominate, breaking Baez again in the third game with a running forehand down the line. The Russian maintained his composure, holding serve at love in the fourth game and extending his lead to 4-0. Baez’s backhand errors further hindered his chances, allowing Medvedev to serve for the match at 5-0.#tennis #indian_wells_tournament #daniil_medvedev #sebastian_baez #russian
Eala thanks Gauff, her mom in International Women's Day tribute Alexandra Eala expressed her gratitude to Coco Gauff and her mother following her third-round victory at the Indian Wells tournament. During her on-court interview, she extended her appreciation to "all the incredible women who have paved the way," highlighting the importance of female role models in sports. Eala’s win over Gauff, who retired with a left arm injury in the second set, marked a significant moment in her career. The Filipina player, currently ranked No. 32 in the PIF WTA Rankings, dedicated her success to the women who have inspired her, including Gauff. "I want to say thank you to all the incredible women who have paved the way, who have advocated for themselves and for other women," Eala said, receiving enthusiastic support from the crowd. She specifically acknowledged Gauff as an "amazing competitor and amazing role model," expressing hope for her recovery. Eala also thanked her mother for her unwavering support, calling her "the amazing woman that she is" and emphasizing her role in shaping Eala’s identity. "I want to thank her for being the amazing woman that she is, and for helping me become the woman that I am. And that goes to all mothers," she added. Gauff, reflecting on her retirement during the match, expressed regret over the decision, which she described as difficult. She emphasized her desire to ensure Eala’s progress to the fourth round was not overshadowed by her withdrawal. "I felt really bad to pull out. You never want to pull out, but more so for her because she was playing great tennis," Gauff said. Eala’s journey to the Round of 16 included a first-round bye, followed by victories over Dayana Yastremska and Gauff.#indian_wells_tournament #alexandra_eala #coco_gauff #linda_noskova #pif_wta_rankings
Good News and Bad News for Pegula: A Comeback Win, but the Sponsor Activation Is On Jessica Pegula’s victory over Donna Vekic in the third round of the Indian Wells tournament highlighted both her resilience and a momentary lapse in focus. The No. 5 seed faced challenges in the first set, struggling to control the ball against the hard-hitting Croatian player. During the match, Pegula admitted to wandering mentally, briefly entertaining thoughts about the sponsor obligations she had to fulfill the following day. “I was thinking about, ‘Wow, this would not be great if I lose,’ and maybe I can get out of the sponsor thing I have to do tomorrow,” she said. Despite these distractions, Pegula regrouped and secured a comeback win with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, setting up a clash against Jelena Ostapenko. Pegula, who leads their head-to-head record 3-2, demonstrated her ability to turn around matches, having won seven of her last 12 contests after losing the first set. Pegula credited a strategic adjustment in her equipment for the turnaround. She switched to a tighter racquet tension, which she said gave her more confidence to take risks with her shots. “I switched to a tighter racquet. That kind of gave me a little bit more freedom to feel like I could go for my shots,” she explained. This change in grip, combined with her mental preparation, allowed her to regain control of the match. Pegula emphasized her comfort in high-pressure situations, noting that while there’s always a “little bit of panic,” her experience in similar scenarios has reduced the intensity over time. “I think I’m just comfortable in those situations,” she said. “There’s always a little bit of panic, but at the same time, I’ve been dealing with those matches for a while, and maybe not as much panic as it used to be.#tennis #indian_wells_tournament #jessica_pegula #donna_vekic #jelena_ostapenko
Jannik Sinner is undergoing rigorous training in California's harsh desert climate to overcome his limitation of never winning a match lasting more than four hours. The world No. 2 is pushing his physical and mental boundaries, training shirtless during peak heat to build endurance and adapt to extreme conditions. His focus is on improving his stamina and maintaining composure during extended rallies, a challenge he has faced in past tournaments like Roland Garros and the Australian Open. Sinner’s recent performance at the Indian Wells tournament showed progress, with his mobility and baseline play demonstrating better timing and precision. Despite the match against Dalibor Svrcina not being a critical test of his physical condition, he expressed confidence in his preparation. “I feel competitive, I’ve worked hard in the gym and on the court. I want to go as far as possible in the tournament,” he said after the match, highlighting his determination to refine both his game and mindset. The Italian star’s training regimen includes intense sessions under California’s intense sun, a strategy to enhance his resistance and acclimate to challenging weather. This approach aims to ensure his powerful and aggressive playing style remains effective even in grueling, multi-set matches. Sinner acknowledges the need to address past struggles with fatigue, aiming to eliminate the physical and mental barriers that have hindered his performance in long rallies. His preparation also includes mental conditioning, as he seeks to stay calm and focused during high-pressure moments. The upcoming Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells represents a key opportunity to showcase the results of his training.#california #novak_djokovic #jannik_sinner #indian_wells_tournament #carlos_alcaraz
Talia Gibson Enters Top 100 as Youngest Australian in WTA Rankings At 21 years old, Talia Gibson has become Australia’s youngest player to enter the WTA top 100 rankings, marking a significant milestone in her professional tennis career. The West Australian achieved the feat just six weeks after stating her goal of securing a spot within the elite bracket during a press conference at the 2026 Australian Open. Her breakthrough came during a standout performance at the Indian Wells tournament, where she advanced to the third round without dropping a set. The run included victories over two top 50 players, solidifying her position in the rankings. Gibson’s rise to the top 100 follows a steady progression over the past year, with her ranking fluctuating near the threshold for over a year. She reached a career-high of No. 105 in August 2025 before securing her place in the top 100. Reflecting on the achievement, Gibson expressed disbelief and pride, noting how far she has come since starting her professional journey. She emphasized the importance of reaching this goal, calling it a “crazy” milestone that she is now proud to have achieved. Despite her rapid ascent, Gibson’s path to the top 100 has been marked by perseverance. Her first professional match came over seven years ago at ITF 15K events in Perth, and she has since earned her first pro title in 2022. In the past 18 months alone, she has claimed all seven of her singles finals at W35, W50, and W75 level events. However, her journey has not been without setbacks. At the 2026 Australian Open, she fell to 23rd seed Diana Shnaider in the second round, ending a streak of nine consecutive losses against top 50 players. Gibson described the defeat as a turning point, helping her realize her game is capable of competing with the world’s best.#indian_wells_tournament #talia_gibson #wta_rankings #jarrad_bunt #australian_open_2026
Djokovic, Tsitsipas Team Up In Doubles, Face Blockbuster Opener Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas made their doubles debut at the Indian Wells tournament in a high-profile matchup against defending champions Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. The Serbian and Greek players, who have faced each other in singles for years, including a dramatic 2021 French Open final where Djokovic came from two sets down to win, were granted wildcard entries for the event. This marks Djokovic’s first doubles appearance since 2019, when he reached the semifinals alongside Fabio Fognini. The 38-year-old, now based in Greece, last competed in doubles at the Doha 2025 tournament with Fernando Verdasco, who was playing in his farewell event. Tsitsipas, who lost to Denis Shapovalov in singles, will now focus on doubles, while Djokovic faces a challenging opener against the top-seeded pair. If Djokovic wins and progresses deep into the tournament, he would secure his second doubles title at Indian Wells—a significant achievement, as he would surpass his singles tally of 99 titles. He would also join Rafael Nadal as the second member of the legendary Big Three to win the event, following Nadal’s victory. Roger Federer, though, came close in the past, reaching two finals but falling short. Other notable doubles pairings include Jannik Sinner and Reilly Opelka, who were also granted wildcards. The world No. 2 in singles and the 6-foot-11 American, who previously won the doubles title together in Atlanta, face a tough opening match against top seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. Another intriguing first-round clash pits Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien against cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.#novak_djokovic #stefanos_tsitsipas #marcelo_arevalo #mate_pavic #indian_wells_tournament
