Entering Wednesday afternoon’s round of 16 match in Indian Wells, Jessica Pegula was 0-4 overall against Belinda Bencic.
Getting over the hump and beating a player for the first time is physically and mentally challenging, especially in the ever-changing environment of Tennis Paradise.
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Pegula, the last American player in the women’s singles draw, played outstanding tennis in the first set to close 6-3.
They were down 0-2 in the second set, but won their fourth straight win. Then things got really interesting as Pegula came into the match up 5-4 but collapsed.
Benchic’s counterattack, forcing a 2nd set tiebreaker
Sensing that the pegula was tight, Bencic began swinging more freely and forced a tiebreaker. The Swiss player has enjoyed a great return to the WTA Tour since giving birth to her child in April 2024.
There was little separating the two in the tiebreaker, a deflection off Bencic into the net court, a beautiful drop shot from Pegula and some unforced errors.
Pegula won, and Tennis Channel’s Lindsay Davenport praised her for staying mentally tough to get her first win over Bencic.
Pegula vs Bencic over the years
From 2015 to 2023, four matches were played on all surfaces. Pegula did not win a set in either match. The match was the round of 64 of the 2021 US Open and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Benchic won the gold medal.)
The most recent was the semifinals of the 2023 Charleston Open Clay. Pegula will eventually win in Charleston and win in 2025.
She improved her game, improving her serve and stamina. Pegula also became a better player after changing coaches from David Witt in February 2024 to a team approach featuring Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein. Pegula is the Dubai champion.
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Jessica Pegula awaits the winner of the match between Sonay Kartal and Elena Rybakina later on Wednesday.
Jessica Pegula practices during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Indian Wells, California.
All men’s and women’s singles quarterfinals will be played on Thursday and will be broadcast live and replayed on Tennis Channel.
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