By Richard Pagliaro Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Indian Wells – Crouching in the return position, Jessica Pegula Close your eyes briefly, as if thinking about the upcoming drama in your mind.
It’s Pegula’s meditative calm before her fully committed role reversal.
No win in the previous four games Belinda Bencic, Pegula gave it her all, defeating the former Olympic gold medalist 6-3, 7-6(5) to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open for the second time.
“Had to turn things around today,” said Pegula, who had lost all eight previous sets to Bencic. “No one has beaten me five times in a row.
“I feel like I’m a different player, a better player. I have to accept the challenge and compete and at least get a set.”
It was Pegula’s eighth consecutive win, putting her on track to extend her landmark winning streak.
If Pegula beats her next opponent — 2023 champion Elena Rybakina or No. 54 Briton Sonai Kartar — she will become the first woman to reach eight consecutive tour-level semifinals since Hall of Famer Maria Sharapova did so in Beijing in 2012 and Madrid in 2013.
Pegula improves to 16-2 on the season, including 8-1 against top 20 players. Her only loss to a top-20 opponent was against Rybakina in the Australian Open semifinals. Rybakina then defeated No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
Today, Pegula won the baseline battle with Benic and gained more command.
Both women can get across the line and hit the ball early. Pegula timed his pass better early on, hitting the ball into the corner and moving more fluidly.
The pair traded breakouts right from the start. Pegula then scored 8 of 10 points in a row, breaking serve in the fourth game and confirming the break at 4-1. Pegula saved a break point in a tense 12-point game and chased the score to 5-2.
On the fourth set point, Pegula took a one-set lead.
Pegula served and hit the ball with confidence to lead 4-2 in the second set.
The 2024 U.S. Open finalist’s only mistake came when she advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-4 scoreline. Bencic hit some deep returns to get the score back to 15 points.
The tiebreaker was all Pegula.
A backhand lob gave her a 4-1 lead.
On her third match point, Pegula got Bencic moving and blasted the Swiss with a cross-court forehand to seal the victory in one hour and 48 minutes.
“She’s a really good returner, so I knew I had to really focus on my serve,” Pegula said. “I have to stay confident and not be afraid to change the direction of my serve and go for my second serve.
“I felt like I was a little calm in the second set, but at the same time she’s a really good player. She made it a must-win for me today.”
Pegula hit eight aces on three double faults to win for the eighth consecutive time and will need accurate and ambitious serving if she faces Rybakina again.
Two-time major champion Rybakina has won four of seven matches against Pegula.
