Wednesday\u2019s news from the 2026 Indian Wells Open includes Mirra Andreeva coming under fire from a Russian tennis great and Alex Eala reacting to her exit from the tournament.<\/p>\n
We also have news about an online spat between two Tennis Channel commentators and the Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper\u2019s upcoming clash.<\/p>\n
Here is our round-up of the biggest headlines from Tennis Paradise as the first joint-ATP-WTA 1000 tournament of the year reaches the business end\u2026<\/p>\n
Mirra Andreeva \u2018not making progress\u2019, claims former world No 1<\/p>\n
Mirra Andreeva\u2019s title defence in Indian Wells ended with a surprise three-set third round loss to Katerina Siniakova on Monday.<\/p>\n
The world No 8 has since faced some blunt criticism from two-time major winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who claimed only those \u201cwho lack tennis competence\u201d will not question the 18-year-old Russian\u2019s form.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not making progress \u2014 that\u2019s the most important thing. She\u2019s stagnant,\u201d said the former world No 1.<\/p>\n
Read more: Mirra Andreeva labelled \u2018stagnant\u2019 in blunt criticism from former world No 1 after Indian Wells exit<\/a><\/p>\n Alex Eala reacts after debut Indian Wells run ends<\/p>\n Alex Eala\u2019s debut campaign in Indian Wells ended with a heavy 0-6, 2-6 defeat to world No 14 Linda Noskova in the last 16 at the WTA 1000 event.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old Filipina started the tournament as the world No 32, and she is up to a projected new career-high ranking of 28th in the Live WTA Rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eala described her run in Indian Wells as \u201csomething I\u2019m really proud of\u201d despite the difficult conclusion.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Alex Eala on her learning experience in Indian Wells \u2013 \u2018I do leave with happiness\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Jannik Sinner praises Joao Fonseca after winning pair\u2019s first match<\/p>\n World No 2 Jannik Sinner defeated rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca 7-6(6), 7-6(4) in a pulsating fourth-round encounter in Indian Wells on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n After what was the pair\u2019s first-ever match, Sinner hailed Fonseca as an \u201cincredible talent\u201d and said the 19-year-old has a \u201cfearless\u201d mentality.<\/p>\n The four-time Grand Slam champion also described the world No 35 as \u201ca very humble kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Jannik Sinner reveals \u2018humble kid\u2019 Joao Fonseca\u2019s best qualities after Indian Wells Open clash<\/a><\/p>\n Aryna Sabalenka highlights role of coach Max Mirnyi<\/p>\n Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals in Indian Wells with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over fellow four-time Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the last 16 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The world No 1 added her Belarusian compatriot Max Mirnyi, a 10-time major champion in doubles, to her coaching team last year.<\/p>\n After beating Osaka, Sabalenka credited Mirnyi for improving her as a player, including by helping her introduce serve-and-volley to her game.<\/p>\n Read more: Aryna Sabalenka reveals how legendary coach re-worked her game after scintillating Indian Wells win<\/a><\/p>\n Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper look ahead to Indian Wells showdown<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper will face off in a mouth-watering last 16 matchup in Indian Wells on Wednesday night<\/p>\n Third seed Djokovic has won five Indian Wells titles, while 14th seed Draper is the reigning champion at the Masters 1000 event.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of the match, Draper described Djokovic as \u201cthe greatest player of all time\u201d, while the 38-year-old Serb said the 24-year-old Brit is \u201cplaying on a really high level again.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Indian Wells Open: What Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper said ahead of blockbuster clash<\/a><\/p>\n Talia Gibson will make big rankings jump as she continues stunning run<\/p>\n Talia Gibson upset world No 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 to progress to the quarter-finals in Indian Wells on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old Australian has won six consecutive matches in Tennis Paradise \u2014 two in qualifying and four in the main draw.<\/p>\n Gibson, who started the tournament ranked 112th, is set to break into the top 70 of the WTA Rankings.<\/p>\n Read more: Talia Gibson set for stunning rankings rise as prize money so far is confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n Awkward on-air exchange between Tennis Channel commentators<\/p>\n A segment on Indian Wells broadcaster Tennis Channel got slightly uncomfortable during an exchange between former American players Coco Vandeweghe and Chris Eubanks.<\/p>\n Eubanks made his feelings known after Vandeweghe brought up the topic of beating him in a serve speed contest in Indian Wells.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, here is the thing about me and you, Coco. I don\u2019t like to just bask in my own career and accomplishments. I like to focus on the players. I don\u2019t want to talk about myself and what I did and what my serve was,\u201d said the former world No 29.<\/p>\n Read more: Tennis Channel commentators involved in on-air spat \u2013 \u2018Let\u2019s focus on the players\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Miami Open News<\/p>\n While action at the Indian Wells Open will continue until Sunday, the second leg of the Sunshine Double in Miami will get underway on 17 March.<\/p>\n We looked at the entry lists for both the WTA and ATP events in Miami, as well as the prize money and ranking points on offer:<\/p>\n WTA Miami Open 2026 Entry List: Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina, Gauff star; will Eala & Raducanu be seeded?<\/a><\/p>\n ATP Miami Open 2026 Entry List: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic headline as 30 of top 32 set to star<\/a><\/p>\n 2026 Miami Open: What prize money and ranking points will be on offer?<\/a><\/p>\n