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Joao Fonseca has been presented with a chance to take on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his last two tournaments, with the young Brazilian getting a glimpse of the levels he needs to get to to reach the very top of the game.

Brazilian hopeful Fonseca performed well as he pushed Sinner in a tight match at Indian Wells, which was won by the reigning Wimbledon champion in two tight sets.

Fonseca was then beaten by Alcaraz in straight sets at the Miami Open, leading him to conclude he found the challenge presented by the second of those two opponents tougher.

“I think Alcaraz has more arsenal than Sinner,” declared Fonseca. “Sinner is more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect.

“Carlos, he can do everything. He can do with topspin, can fire the ball, he has good movement. Goes to the net. He has everything. It’s more difficult to understand the game. He breaks a lot of your rhythm.

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“I think Jannik’s game helped me to enter the court with no fear, trying to play my game. But I didn’t get the opportunities and he played good. He’s No 1 in the world.”

Now former British No 1 Greg Rusedski has given his verdict on Fonseca, as he suggested the 19-year-old has shown he has the firepower to challenge Sinner and Alcaraz, but he suggests he will need to build for another year at least before he can join the battle at the top.

“Fonseca is a year away from joining that party of three because he’s still learning how to adjust those things,” said Rusedski on the latest edition of his podcast.

“We saw a lot of promise in Indian Wells, but he is the real deal. And you saw by the crowds, not only in Indian Wells, but especially in Miami, how popular this kid is. So this is only good for the men’s game.

“Also, Fonseca said one thing that was really interesting. It’s easier to play Jannik Sinner than it is to play Carlos Alcaraz.

“Alcaraz has those few extra dimensions with the drop shot, change of height, coming forward, transition.

“I wish Fonseca had gotten off to a better start because once you give Carlos the lead, he runs away with it. There were no lapses. As we saw great crowds for that match, this will be a rivalry we can look forward to a year from now.”

Sinner was asked about Fonseca’s comments suggesting his brand of tennis is robotic and while some viewed it as a critical comment, the world No 2 had an alternative view.

“You know, he is right,” said Sinner, as he spoke about Fonseca’s comments. “Coming from a player who played me the week before and now Carlos here, it was the perfect explanation.

“I wish him only the best. He is playing an incredible high level of tennis and I believe he will make big steps forward.

“He has a very good team behind him and also a very good family. I wish him only the best. I’m a very big fan of his.”

READ NEXT: Jannik Sinner responds to Joao Fonseca after contentious comment

The post Timeline on when Joao Fonseca will challenge Alcaraz and Sinner set by former British No 1 appeared first on Tennis365.

Alex Eala has reached the Miami Open round of 16 for a second consecutive year and she will face a seeded player and former Grand Slam finalist for a place in the quarter-final.

The 31st-seeded Eala had a bye in the first round and overcame veteran Laura Siegemund in three sets in the second round before seeing off Magda Linette, who stunned second seed Iga Swiatek in the previous round, in the third round.

After the Pole won the first two matches of their rivalry, Eala has now won both matches in 2026 with the head-to-head tied 2-2 after her 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win.

But up next, she will feature in a first-ever career meeting with world No 14 Karolina Muchova as the Czech secured her place in the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Katie Boulter.

“I’m really excited. I haven’t thought about it much,” Eala said of her upcoming match. “She’s obviously a great player and is doing really well. A couple of years back, I watched one of her finals. I was really impressed.

“To be put in a position to compete against her is a real privilege and going to be a test.”

Who is Karolina Muchova?

The 29-year-old Muchova turned professional in 2013 and her WTA Tour main draw debut arrived at the Korea Open in 2017, but she had to wait until August 2018 for her maiden top-level win as it came at the US Open when she beat Dayana Yastremska. She went on to reach the third round before losing against eventual champion Ashleigh Barty.

In 2019 she won her maiden WTA singles title at the Korea Open while she also reached the quarter-final at Wimbledon, with those results helping her to finish the year at No 21 in the WTA Rankings.

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But it was in 2023 when she made her mark as the unseeded Muchova stunned second seed Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semi-final to set up a final against Iga Swiatek. She took the Pole to three sets, but Swiatek successfully defended her title.

Later in the year, she finished runner-up to Coco Gauff at the Cincinnati Open and reached the semi-final of the US Open with those results propelling her to No 8 in the rankings.

The 2024 season was an injury-ravaged one as she had to undergo wrist surgery, but there were highs as she finished runner-up, again to Gauff, at the China Open while the 2025 season was a stop-start affair.

However, she has been back to her best in 2026 as she reached the semi-final of the Brisbane International and fourth round of the Australian Open before it all clicked at the Qatar Open where she won her first WTA 1000 trophy, beating Victoria Mboko in the final.

Head-To-Head And Miami Open Clash

The meeting between world No 29 Eala and Muchova will be the first-ever match on the WTA Tour.

The fourth-round encounter is set for Monday, 23 March with the order of play still to be confirmed although tournament organisers have so far scheduled Eala’s matches on the two showpiece courts.

The post Miami Open: Alex Eala’s next opponent is a Grand Slam finalist and former world No 8 appeared first on Tennis365.

We are heading to the business end of the Miami Open and, with the exception of Iga Swiatek, the favourites are still alive at the second leg of the Sunshine Double.

Jannik Sinner has been described as a “robot” by Joao Fonseca and the world No 2 was asked for his views on that comment.

In the women’s draw, there is good news for Alex Eala, “worrying” news for Swiatek with Aryna Sabalenka left “really shocked”.

Here is our latest roundup of the biggest headlines from the joint-ATP-WTA 1000 event in Florida.

Jannik Sinner’s responds to ‘robot’ suggestions

After rising star Fonseca described four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner as being “more like a robot” when comparing him with Carlos Alcaraz, the Italian has been asked for his views on the comment.

Following his latest straight-set win at the Miami Open, the world No 2 wasn’t fazed by the remarks.

READ: Jannik Sinner responds to Joao Fonseca after contentious comment

Aryna Sabalenka criticised Miami Open chiefs

World No 1 Sabalenka’s match Ann Li was switched from the Stadium Court to Butch Buchholz court after heavy rain in South Florida affected scheduling, but the four-time Grand Slam winner was left unimpressed.

Sabalenka was given the option of rescheudling her match to Saturday or swtiching courts, yet there was no talk of switching the Carlos Alcaraz-Joao Fonseca match.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka ‘really shocked’ over Alcaraz, Fonseca decision

Iga Swiatek coach ‘under a lot of pressure’

Iga Swiatek’s difficult start to 2026 continued with a shock second-round loss at the Miami Open and former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs admitted there were “worrying” signs from the six-time Grand Slam winner during the match.

The doubles major champion also gave her assessment about a possible coaching switch with Wim Fissette under pressure.

READ: Rennae Stubbs makes worrying Iga Swiatek assessment and floats idea of drastic coaching change

Alex Eala back in the round of 16 in Miami

Rising star Eala saw off the challenge of Magda Linette in the third round in Florida to reach the fourth round for a second consecutive year.

After the match, the Filipina gave her assessment of the encounter and also discussed her next opponent, Karolina Muchova.

READ: What ‘brave’ Alex Eala had to say after reaching Miami Open round of 16

From friends to on-court rivals, again

Teenagers Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva both claimed straight-set wins to secure their tickets in the fourth round, where they will square off for a third time this year.

And it is a case of “here we go again” for the friends.

READ: Friends Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva face each other again – ‘How many times?’

Rafa gives advice to Rafa

Staying with the rising stars of the game, Rafael Jodar is set for a new rankings milestone after reaching the fourth round.

The Spanish youngster reaveled after the match what advice his namesake, the great Rafael Nadal, gave him at last year’s Next Gen Finals.

READ: Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar +23 in rankings as he reveals Rafael Nadal advice

The post Sinner’s ‘robot’ response, Eala ‘brave’, Sabalenka ‘shocked’, a ‘worrying’ Swiatek verdict – Miami Open roundup appeared first on Tennis365.

Jannik Sinner has insisted he has nothing but admiration for Joao Fonseca, after the Brazilian accused him of being robotic and suggested his big rival Carlos Alcaraz is tougher to play against.

Fonseca lost narrowly against world No 2 Sinner in the ATP 1000 event at Indian Wells last week, before he was comprehensively beaten by Alcaraz at the Miami Open on Friday night.

Those two matches in quick succession inspired questions about the relative strengths of the best two players in men’s tennis and Fonseca’s answer sparked a big debate.

“I think Alcaraz has more arsenal than Sinner,” declared Fonseca. “Sinner is more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect.

“Carlos, he can do everything. He can do with topspin, can fire the ball, he has good movement. Goes to the net. He has everything. It’s more difficult to understand the game. He breaks a lot of your rhythm.

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“I think Jannik’s game helped me to enter the court with no fear, trying to play my game. But I didn’t get the opportunities and he played good. He’s No 1 in the world.”

Some observers viewed Fonseca’s comments as being critical of Sinner, but the Italian insisted they were ‘perfect’.

“I saw, you know, he is right,” said Sinner, as he spoke about Fonseca’s comments.

“Coming from a player who played me the week before and now Carlos here, it was the perfect explanation.

“I wish him only the best. He is playing an incredible high level of tennis and I believe he will make big steps forward.

“He has a very good team behind him and also a very good family. I wish him only the best. I’m a very big fan of his.”

Sinner’s response defused any suggestion that Fonseca’s comments could be viewed as a snipe in his direction, with the Italian speaking after his convincing 6-3, 6-3 win against Damir Dzumhur at Hard Rock Stadium.

This was another sensational serving performance from Sinner, who stormed to victory at Indian Wells last week with the help of his accurate serve.

He only lost eight points behind his first serve in this match, with this win allowing him to extend his set-winning streak in ATP Masters 1000 events to a stunning 24.

Sinner won the Paris Masters at the back end of last year and then the Indian Wells Masters last week without dropping a set in either tournament.

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His 24-set winning streak equals Novak Djokovic’s record in the showpiece ATP Tour events and he is relishing the chance to win a 25th straight set in his next match.

“I feel like the scoreboard matters at times,” said Sinner, who will play No 30 seed Corentin Moutet next, after the Frenchman defeated Tomas Machac 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.

“For me, I try to improve as a player and put myself in the position to play as many matches as possible.

“I always treat every opponent in the same way, trying to come on court and do my best with a great attitude and trying to go for it.”

READ NEXT: Carlos Alcaraz gets some candid advice as he is told one area where Jannik Sinner is ‘better’

The post Jannik Sinner responds to Joao Fonseca after contentious comment appeared first on Tennis365.

Coco Gauff has revealed that her team urged her to skip the Miami Open after suffering from injury problems during Indian Wells – advice she ultimately ignored.

The world No 4 limped out of her third-round match at Indian Wells against Alexandra Eala, retiring whilst down 6-2, 2-0.

A round prior, Gauff overcame Moyuka Uchijima in a hard-fought three-set battle, despite relinquishing 21 double faults.

After undergoing an MRI, it was determined that the pain was a ‘nerve-related issue’ – which caused great concern amongst her team, who advised her to withdraw from the Miami tournament.

However, after deciding to participate, the two-time Grand Slam champion made it clear that she has no expectations for the tournament, having already advanced into the third round.

“Yeah, for sure I do think about them (expectations) a lot,” admitted the American.

“Honestly, today I wasn’t. I had no expectations going in. Most of my team didn’t even want me to play this tournament, but I just kind of vetoed that.

“So I think I just went into it like every match as a positive, so I think that’s why today I didn’t. But also, I kind of wanted to prove them wrong.

“I really wanted — that’s what I was thinking about, honestly, when I went down in the break, I think, was just I didn’t want them to be like, Well, I told you.

Yeah, so I feel like I have to win a few more matches to prove them wrong, but I am happy with how today went.”

Despite the opening-match victory, Gauff looked out of sorts in patches of the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 contest against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, coughing up 11 double faults and 39 unforced errors.

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When pressed further about her decision to still participate at the WTA 1000 tournament, the American recalled a similar situation at the China Open last season – an event which she went on to win.

“I mean, even last year my team didn’t want me to go to China and then I semi’d and won there,” Gauff remarked.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s a thing.

My parents will definitely tell you I’m stubborn, and I will stand on my heel, I’ll die on my heel. I think I’m just that type of person. Maybe it does make me play better.

“No, I obviously take the considerations of my team, and I did consider it.

“You know, life happens and you just realize, you know, if I had the opportunity to play this tournament, I’d rather take it up, because you don’t know what’s going to happen.

“Tomorrow is not a promise. I just want to make sure I make decisions that I know I won’t regret in the future.

“I think I would regret not playing more so than playing, because at least if I played and did bad, well, I guess I have time to train for clay season, whereas if I didn’t play, I’m just going to be watching the tournament and be, like, I want to be out there for three weeks.

“I’d rather torture myself maybe for one day than three weeks.”

Gauff will now face fellow American Alycia Parks, who she beat 6-2, 6-2 at the 2024 Australian Open.

“Yeah, Alycia and I have known each other forever, so it’s always cool to play her,” she revealed.

“Obviously I’m expecting a way different match than AO, just considering I feel like she’s gotten a lot better, and I feel like I’ve gotten better too. I think it will be a tough, tough match.

“Yeah, she’s been playing some great tennis, and I’m always rooting for her. Yeah, I’m excited that we get to play each other.

“I guess we hit on the public courts, probably about an hour drive from here, Pompey Park, that’s where we hit. To be able to play on the big stage in Miami, I guess this is both of our home tournaments. It’s pretty cool.”

READ NEXT: Stunning statistics served up as Jack Draper suffers shock defeat at Miami Open

The post Coco Gauff admits team urged her to skip Miami Open after injury scare appeared first on Tennis365.

Aryna Sabalenka has declared that she was “really shocked” about the scheduling of her opening match at the 2026 Miami Open.

The world No 1 defeated 39th-ranked Ann Li 7-6(5), 6-4 in the second round of the WTA 1000 event at the Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night.

The early rounds of the Miami Open have been heavily affected by rain, with all matches cancelled on Wednesday and eight pushed back from Friday to Saturday.

Play was suspended several times on Friday, which led to Sabalenka‘s match being moved from the main Stadium court to the Butch Buchholz court.

In her press conference, Sabalenka revealed organisers gave her the option of rescheduling her match to Saturday or playing it an another court.

“Well, I was actually shocked that they were considering cancelling my match, or they were giving me couple options of the stadiums,” said the Belarusian.

“And I was like, ‘But, what’s the problem for [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Joao] Fonseca [to] start later’. Because yesterday, the night session started at nine, and then Mirra [Andreeva] was playing.

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“So I was actually really shocked [by] the idea of even cancelling my match. But I just decided to play today, just so that, if I win, I have a day off. And I have time to prepare, to recharge and everything.

“But yeah, I was actually shocked, to be honest. But I’m happy that they gave me options so I could choose what’s the best for me.”

Asked why she was shocked, Sabalenka said: “I think I never deal with something like that, so I think it’s like a first experience. I don’t remember anything like that.

“I just thought it’s not a big problem for me to play and then for the night session to wait and play a little bit later. But I guess that’s what the tournament, tickets… that’s what was better for the tournament.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion was then asked if she expects to play on the main court given she is the world No 1.

“I mean, it’s tricky because Alcaraz was playing, so it’s kind of like, you know, two No 1s… and what they should do. I’m just happy that I had options,” said the 27-year-old.

Sabalenka will face world No 72 Caty McNally in the third round in Miami.

READ NEXT: Alex Eala has already taken Emma Raducanu’s position and there could be much more to come

The post Aryna Sabalenka ‘really shocked’ as she criticises Miami Open chiefs over Alcaraz, Fonseca decision appeared first on Tennis365.

Saturday’s headlines from the 2026 Miami Open include Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca reacting to their first-ever meeting, as well as Coco Gauff surviving serving issues to win her opening match.

We also have news of Gauff’s opportunity to overtake Iga Swiatek in the rankings and Jack Draper’s candid comments after his surprise defeat.

Here is our latest roundup of the biggest stories from the Miami Open.

Alcaraz praises Fonseca and discusses expectations placed on the Brazilian

World No 1 Alcaraz earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory against 39th-ranked Joao Fonseca in the second round of the 2026 Miami Open.

Alcaraz said Fonseca “has everything” while also claiming that there are “a lot of things to improve” for the 19-year-old Brazilian star.

The 22-year-old Spaniard also described the lofty expectations that some are imposing on Fonseca as “a bit wrong.”

Read more: Miami Open: Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘wrong’ comment about Joao Fonseca expectations

Fonseca reveals difference between Alcaraz and Sinner

Prior to his maiden encounter with Alcaraz in Miami, Fonseca played his first-ever match against world No 2 Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells earlier this month, losing in two tight sets.

The teenager assessed that Alcaraz “can do everything” and “has more arsenal than” Sinner, while he described the Italian as “more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect.”

Read more: Miami Open: Joao Fonseca makes telling distinction between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Draper reacts to surprise early Miami exit

Draper, who was seeded 25th in Miami, was upset 7-6(3), 7-6(0) by the huge-serving Reilly Opelka in his opening match at the ATP 1000 event.

The former world No 4 said: “There is some disappointment because I never like to lose.

“The guy played an incredible match. He served out of his skin. It’s a difficult one because I’ve not played loads of tennis coming back from injury, so all credit to him.”

Read more: Stunning statistics served up as Jack Draper suffers shock defeat at Miami Open

Gauff’s serve struggles continue in opening Miami win

Gauff once again had to overcome problems with her serve in her 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win against world No 44 Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round in Miami.

The world No 4 served 11 double faults and won only 31% of her second serve points in what was her first match since she retired against Alex Eala in Indian Wells due to a left arm injury.

Read more: Coco Gauff’s serving nightmare continues in tight Miami Open battle

How Gauff can leapfrog Swiatek in rankings

World No 3 Swiatek suffered a shock three-set defeat to fellow Pole Magda Linette in her opening match in Miami.

This has opened the door for Gauff to replace Swiatek in third position in the WTA Rankings if she reaches the final at the WTA 1000 event.

Read more: WTA Rankings: How Coco Gauff can overtake Iga Swiatek after Pole’s shock defeat

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The post Alcaraz ‘has more’ than ‘robot’ Sinner as Draper candid after shock loss and Gauff survives serving nightmare appeared first on Tennis365.

Joao Fonseca made a distinction between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after losing to the former at the 2026 Miami Open.

The 19-year-old Brazilian was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by world No 1 Alcaraz in the second round of the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami.

It was Fonseca‘s first match against the 22-year-old Spanish superstar, and it came shortly after he lost 7-6(6), 7-6(4) to Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells in his first encounter with the world No 2.

In his press conference after his defeat to Alcaraz, Fonseca was asked if he is already getting used to playing the top players on big courts.

“Well, I think they (the matches against Alcaraz and Sinner) helped me to understand different types of games,” said the world No 39.

“I think Alcaraz has more arsenal than Sinner. Sinner is more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect.

“And Carlos, he can do everything. He can do with topspin, he can fire the ball, he has good movement. He goes to the net. He has everything. And it’s more difficult to understand the game. He breaks a lot your rhythm.

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“I was not serving well, he was returning good the second serves. He got more used on the court. This I felt a lot. He got an early break in the beginning of first set and beginning of the second set, and then he played his game, with good shots, going to the net and approaching.

“So yeah, I think Jannik’s game helped me to enter the court with no fear, trying to play my game.

“But I think I didn’t get the opportunities that I had [against Sinner], and of course he played good. He’s No 1 in the world. But I need to think about my mistakes and try to improve.”

Fonseca added: “He (Alcaraz) has most of everything. So you don’t know what’s coming, and if it’s coming serve, serve and volley, if it’s going serve wide and do a plus-one shot, you kind of don’t know.

“So that’s the difficulty of playing against him. You need to almost play a perfect match.

“It was a fun match. Carlos, he played some amazing shots. It was entertaining, and I think was good for the crowd.”

READ NEXT: Stunning statistics served up as Jack Draper suffers shock defeat at Miami Open

The post Miami Open: Joao Fonseca makes telling distinction between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner appeared first on Tennis365.

The WTA Tour has been handed a new gift with the emergence of Alex Eala as a superstar in the making and she may have already moved past a player who carried that mantle for many years.

Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open was a groundbreaking moment that changed her life forever and propelled women’s tennis to elevated prominence around the world.
Young girls were inspired by Raducanu’s success and parents were eager to get their children out on court with a dream of following in her footsteps, but sustained success has proved to be beyond the British player.

She is currently in the top 30 of the WTA Rankings and has enjoyed some high points in her career since that famous win in New York four-and-half-years ago, but there is a growing suspicion that her one Grand Slam win may the shining highlight of her career.

Raducanu’s injury and illness issues have hampered her progress and while the lucrative deal she recently signed with clothing brand Uniqlo confirms she is still an attractive option for sponsors, he lack of success on the court has seen some of his commercial partners move away from her in the last couple of years.

With Raducanu’s star on the wane, new stars have started to fill the void left behind and at the top of that list is undoubtedly Alex Eala.

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The Filipina star made her big breakthrough in the game a year ago as she made a run to the Miami Open semi-finals that included a win against Iga Swiatek.

Since then, the 20-year-old’s popularity has soared and she is now one of the most talked about players in all of tennis, with commercial opportunities certain to come her way as she builds her career.

She has not jumped at all the opportunities coming her way, but the sponsorship deals are certain to roll in for Eala if she continues to make such positive impression at the top of the sport.

The expectations building around Eala will be a challenge for her to deal with, with Sky Sports Tennis presenter Gigi Salmon suggesting her stat power is comparable with the greats of the current game.

“Coco Gauff said after one of her matches recently that she was really sorry for holding up a match with Alex and promise the fans that she would be out soon. Players are already saying, which they used to say with Roger Federer, I know you didn’t come to support me, but thank you very much.

“I remember Miami last year. I spoke to her a few times on that run through to the semi-final and the clouds were phenomenal. 
And this year in the Middle East, it’s been sensational.

“In Dubai, it was a like a pop concert. It was like a Taylor Swift concert. People were screaming and maybe that can become a burden at some point, but I like the fact that at the moment, she just seems to be flourishing. She thanked them all and she’s a superstar. I just think she’s got everything.”

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Eala’s win over Gauff in Indian Wells after the American was forced to retire and Salmon suggests it will be the first of many marquee wins as she added: “She hits a big ball. She’s training for Rafael Nadal Academy, we know she’s done it for a few years, but I think she can go far.”

Compared to many of her rivals looking to break into the top 20 of the WTA Rankings, Eala may have to deal with pressure than most players of her age due to the expectations around her, but she appears to handle the hype with an elegance and calmness that will stand her in good stead.

That chamring demeanour is one of the primary reasons why Eala has developed such a loyal fanbase in double quick time, with tennis chiefs needing to make sure they do all they can to help a player who could be a great asset to the sport to thrive at the top of the sport.

Raducanu’s sudden rise to the top was hard to sustain, but Eala is building her career at a pace that should be more manageable and the sport could have a new superstar on its hands if she can continue her progress.

READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu’s biggest problem continues to haunt her and she needs to find an answer quickly

The post Alex Eala has already taken Emma Raducanu’s position and there could be much more to come appeared first on Tennis365.

Novak Djokovic has been the only major contender to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam tournaments over the last couple of years, but another name has returned to the top of the pile of contenders over the last few weeks.

That’s the verdict of coaching guru Patrick Mouratoglou, who believes the revival in fortunes from Daniel Medvedev could allow him to end the run of nine major titles won by Sinner or Alcaraz.

Djokovic was the last player to win a title outside of the new ‘Big 2’ in men’s tennis when he lifted the 2023 US Open, with the former coach of Serena Williams claiming the Russian player who beat Alcaraz and then pushed Sinner all the way in the Indian Wells final last week is now back in the mix for the big titles.

“The Third Man. Is Daniil Medvedev officially back in the Top 3 conversation?” asked Mouratoglou in an LinkedIn post.

“At Indian Wells, we were all watching the same question. Not just who would win the title, but who, right now, can really challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?

“Daniil gave a very strong answer. He beat Carlos in the semifinal. Then he pushed Jannik in the final in two tie-break sets.

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ATP Rankings Race To Turin: Sinner and Medvedev overtake Djokovic and close gap to Alcaraz

“So yes, I think the question is legitimate again: Is Daniil back as the third man?

“First, let’s say something clearly. There does not have to be a third man. Maybe there will be one, maybe there will be four, maybe the next big challengers will come from the younger generation.

“But if we look at the players who can challenge Sinner and Alcaraz right now, Daniil is one of the names that stands out to me. Why? Because his level is back very high.

“Six months ago, we were not really having this conversation. He was far from his best level. Now, it is different. And even Carlos said after losing to him that he had never seen Daniil play like that. Daniil disagreed.

“And I think his answer was very interesting. He basically said: I play at that level when I am very confident. That is the key. Confidence. And I think right now, he has found it again.”

Mouratoglou went on to assess why Medvedev’s unconventional brand of tennis is so challenging to players when he is at his best.

“What makes him such a problem for the best players? His serve, first of all. Unbelievable,” he added.

“His movement, still exceptional. The depth of his shots. This is one of the most underrated parts of his game. He plays so deep and so flat that he controls rallies in a very particular way.

“Against Carlos, one statistic says a lot: he was inside the baseline 39% of the time. For Daniil, that is huge. It shows how much pressure his ball was creating. And I also saw something very interesting in the final against Jannik.

“When they went backhand to backhand, Daniil’s depth and pace were so strong that Jannik was getting stuck in the backhand corner. After a few exchanges, Jannik started going down the line on shots that were not always the right ones.

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“That tells you something important: Daniil does not just defend well against them. He has patterns that can actually hurt them.

“Could he have won the final? Yes. He was 4-0 up in the second-set tie-break. He had opportunities. So even if he lost in straight sets, this final confirmed something for me: He is back at a level where he can seriously challenge the two best players in the world.

“Is he as good as Jannik and Carlos today? Maybe not. But I do not think he is that far. And that is already a big statement. Because when Daniil is serving like this, moving like this, and playing with this level of confidence, he becomes a real threat again.”

Medvedev will look to confirm he is back among the game’s elite with another deep run at the Miami Open, with his return to the top 10 of the ATP Rankings suggesting he is back on an upward curve after a dip in form in 2025.

READ NEXT: ATP Miami Open Predictions: Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev continues resurgence

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