{"id":1835271,"date":"2026-03-19T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T08:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1835271"},"modified":"2026-03-19T11:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T08:00:19","slug":"gauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1835271","title":{"rendered":"Gauff backs Sabalenka, Eala &amp; Fonseca star treatment, Medvedev &#8216;third-best player&#8217;: Miami Open roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Gauff backs Sabalenka, Eala &amp; Fonseca star treatment, Medvedev \u2018third-best player\u2019: Miami Open roundup<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/oli-dickson-jefford\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Oli Dickson Jefford                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"19 Mar 2026 11:00 AM\" data-ps-date=\"19 Mar 2026 11:00 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1773918019\"><br \/>\n                            19 Mar 2026 11:00 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/gauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fgauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fgauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fgauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fgauff-backs-sabalenka-eala-fonseca-star-treatment-medvedev-third-best-player-miami-open-roundup\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Gauff backs Sabalenka, Eala &amp; Fonseca star treatment, Medvedev \u2018third-best player\u2019: Miami Open roundup\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Eala-Gauff-Medvedev-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured L-R: Alex Eala, Coco Gauff, and Daniil Medvedev.\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Tennis players Alex Eala, Coco Gauff, and Daniil Medvedev.                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\">\n<p>The Miami Open is officially underway, though not too many players have been able to step onto the court quite yet.<\/p>\n<p>The opening stages of the combined ATP-WTA 1000 event have been heavily disrupted by rain, though there have still been plenty of key stories and headlines emerging from the event.<\/p>\n<p>Here, we round up the biggest Miami Open headlines of the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n<h2>Tennis News<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/emma-raducanu-injury-biggest-problem-helath-withdrawal\">Emma Raducanu\u2019s biggest problem continues to haunt her and she needs to find an answer quickly<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/what-is-the-sunshine-double-can-jannik-sinner-aryna-sabalenka-achieve-it\">Miami Open: What is the \u2018Sunshine Double\u2019 and can Jannik Sinner &amp; Aryna Sabalenka achieve it?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Eala and Fonseca get Stadium treatment<\/h2>\n<p>Rising stars <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/alex-eala\">Alex Eala<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/joao-fonseca\">Joao Fonseca<\/a> are two of the hottest prospects in tennis, and they will headline Stadium court action at the Miami Open on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>A surprise semi-finalist last year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/alex-ealas-first-miami-open-opponent-confirmed-three-time-grand-slam-doubles-winner\">31st seed Eala will face a tough round-two test against the experienced Laura Siegemund<\/a>, after previously receiving a round-one bye.<\/p>\n<p>The Filipina\u2019s match is set to be the first on the main court and will be followed by Fonseca\u2019s round-one match against Fabian Marozsan.<\/p>\n<p>Fonseca impressed in Indian Wells last week, and if he beats Marozsan, he will face Carlos Alcaraz in round two.<\/p>\n<p>Tennis greats Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek are also set to be in action as part of a crammed schedule, following rain delays on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/miami-open-alex-eala-joao-fonseca-top-billing-iga-swiatek-venus-feature\">Miami Open: Eala, Fonseca get top billing as Swiatek, Venus also feature on blockbuster day<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Gauff defends Sabalenka after \u2018ridiculous\u2019 comments<\/h2>\n<p>World No 4 Coco Gauff has backed Aryna Sabalenka <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-sends-dubai-boycott-warning-ridiculous-comment-tournament-chief\">following the world No 1\u2019s criticism of \u201cridiculous\u201d comments made by Salah Tahlak, the Dubai Championships tournament director<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Four-time Grand Slam champion<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/aryna-sabalenka\"> Sabalenka<\/a> heavily implied earlier this week that she would consider not returning to the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, after Tahlak\u2019s previous claims that she and Iga Swiatek should be docked ranking points for withdrawing from the event.<\/p>\n<p>After Sabalenka\u2019s comments in her Miami Open pre-tournament press conference, reigning French Open champion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/coco-gauff\">Gauff<\/a> \u2014 one of the Belarusian\u2019s main rivals \u2014 revealed she was on the world No 1\u2019s side.<\/p>\n<p>The American has revealed she can \u201ccompletely understand\u201d Sabalenka\u2019s frustration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/coco-gauff-backs-aryna-sabalenka-world-no-1-slams-ridiculous-comments-dubai-chief\">Coco Gauff backs Aryna Sabalenka after world No 1 slams \u2018ridiculous\u2019 comments from Dubai chief<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Medvedev named \u2018third-best\u2019 player<\/h2>\n<p>In-form <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/daniil-medvedev\">Daniil Medvedev<\/a> has been named as the \u201cnumber three player\u201d in the world behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, ahead of the Miami Open.<\/p>\n<p>After a challenging 2025 campaign, Medvedev has been in fine form this year, triumphing in Brisbane and Dubai before his run to the Indian Wells final.<\/p>\n<p>The Russian handed Alcaraz his first defeat of the season in the last four, before then pushing world No 2 Sinner in the championship match.<\/p>\n<p>Former ATP Tour star and<em> Nothing Major<\/em> co-host Sam Querrey has now stated that Medvedev is the closest rival to the \u2018New 2\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/has-daniil-medvedev-overtaken-novak-djokovic-best-player-behind-carlos-alcaraz-jannik-sinner\">Daniil Medvedev named third-best player right now ahead of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>ATP Miami Open predictions<\/h2>\n<p>The men\u2019s singles draw at the Miami Open will officially get underway on Thursday, following the full-day cancellation of play on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>World No 1 Alcaraz and No 2 Sinner, both former Miami champions, are among the leading contenders for the title, but the likes of Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and reigning champion Jakub Mensik may fancy their chances as well.<\/p>\n<p>Here, Tennis365 predicts who will take home the title from the prestigious Masters 1000 event.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/atp-miami-open-predictions-2026-jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-daniil-medvedev\">ATP Miami Open Predictions: Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev continues resurgence<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-XmVb8e\" data-nosnippet=\"\" data-quiz-type=\"poll|mpu\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gauff backs Sabalenka, Eala &amp; Fonseca star treatment, Medvedev \u2018third-best player\u2019: Miami Open roundup Oli Dickson Jefford 19 Mar 2026 11:00 AM Tennis players Alex Eala, Coco Gauff, and Daniil Medvedev. The Miami Open is officially underway, though not too many players have been able to step onto the court quite yet. The opening stages [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1835271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1835271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835271\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1835271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1835271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1835271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}