BNP Paribas Open 2026: Pegula and Bencic Advance to Fourth Round American Jessica Pegula, the No. 5 seed, advanced to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open after defeating Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the No. 26 seed, in a three-set match that concluded with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The encounter, which lasted one hour and 46 minutes, saw Pegula overcome an aggressive start from Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, and regain control of the match in the second set. Ostapenko dominated the opening set by positioning Pegula behind the baseline and striking the ball with precision, securing the first set 6-4. However, her consistency wavered as Pegula began to read Ostapenko’s service motion more effectively. The American capitalized on this by winning six consecutive games from 2-3 to 6-3 in the second set, shifting the momentum in her favor. Pegula closed the match with a double-break lead, punctuating her victory with a crosscourt forehand winner. Pegula credited her ability to adjust mid-match, stating, “I had to kind of snap myself back and kind of lock in to not let that get away from me, because then obviously it starts to affect everything.” Her strategic shifts allowed her to neutralize Ostapenko’s high-risk hitting and secure the win. Meanwhile, Swiss player Belinda Bencic advanced to the fourth round by defeating Belgian Elise Mertens, the No. 22 seed, in straight sets (6-2, 6-3). Bencic controlled the match from the outset, dictating the rhythm and preventing Mertens from finding a comfortable hitting zone. The Swiss player converted four of her break point opportunities while remaining unbroken, leading to a decisive victory that concluded in just over 80 minutes of play. Pegula’s win sets up a fourth-round clash against Bencic, the No. 12 seed, in the California desert.#bnp_paribas_open #jelena_ostapenko #jessica_pegula #belinda_bencic #elise_mertens
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
Indian Wells preview: Will Pegula finally solve Bencic? The Indian Wells tournament kicks off with a high-stakes clash between Jessica Pegula and Belinda Bencic, two top players with contrasting histories. Pegula, the 2025 Dubai champion, faces Bencic, a former Abu Dhabi titleholder and new mother, in a match that could define their recent form. The draw also features Elena Rybakina against Sonay Kartal, Katerina Siniakova challenging Elina Svitolina, and Karolina Muchova aiming to upset Iga Swiatek in the Round of 16. Momentum appears to favor the winners of last month’s WTA 1000 events in the Middle East. Muchova, who defeated Antonia Ruzic in straight sets, and Pegula, who rallied from a set and a break down to beat Jelena Ostapenko, headline the action. The Round of 16 also includes Top 10 players Iga Swiatek, Rybakina, and Svitolina, while Siniakova, ranked 44th, stunned defending champion Mirra Andreeva with a dramatic comeback win. Pegula’s path to the Round of 16 was marked by her ability to recover from early deficits, a trait that has earned her 13 comeback wins since the start of last season. However, her record against Bencic remains a challenge—Bencic holds a 4-0 edge in their head-to-head, including an 8-0 record in sets. Pegula acknowledged the difficulty, noting her struggles against Bencic and the need to improve. "I think I have become a much better player over the last six months," she said, expressing confidence in her ability to compete. Bencic, meanwhile, has maintained consistency, dropping just 10 games in her recent match against Elise Mertens. The 28-year-old mother has a strong history at Indian Wells, with a 10-4 record since 2019, including runs to the semifinals and quarterfinals. Her performance against Mertens, a 6-2, 6-3 victory, underscores her resilience.#indian_wells #jessica_pegula #elena_rybakina #sonay_kartal #belinda_bencic
