Pegula and Bencic secure fourth round clash in Indian Wells

American Jessica Pegula, the No 5 seed, defeated Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the No 26 seed, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Victory went quicker for Belinda Bencic against Elise Mertens.

Tennis Majors

March 9, 2026

BNP Paribas Open •Third round • Completed

See draw

E. MertensvsB. Bencic

American Jessica Pegula, the No 5 seed, defeated Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the No 26 seed, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday evening.

The match lasted one hour and 46 minutes as Pegula overcame an aggressive start from the former French Open champion. Stadium 2 witnessed a shift in momentum during the second set when the American stabilized her baseline game to neutralize the high-risk hitting of her opponent.

“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,” Pegula said regarding her mid-match adjustments.

Ostapenko dictated the opening set by pinning Pegula behind the baseline and striking the ball with extreme authority. Although the Latvian secured the first set 6-4, her consistency wavered as Pegula began reading her service motion more effectively.

The American won six consecutive games from the middle of the second set (from 2-3 to 6-3, 1-0) to the start of the third. Pegula closed the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by securing a double-break lead and punctuating the victory with a crosscourt forehand winner.

Belinda Bencic eliminates Elise Mertens in straight sets

Pegula moves into the last 16 to face No 12 seed Belinda Bencic. The Swiss dispatched Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 22 seed, 6-2, 6-3 to advance in the California desert.

Bencic controlled the rhythm from the opening game and never allowed Mertens to find a comfortable hitting zone. Since Bencic converted four of her break point opportunities while remaining unbroken, the match concluded in just over 80 minutes of play.