Kostyuk routs Townsend in Indian Wells 2nd round

Ukrainian star Marta Kostyuk defeats American Taylor Townsend in straight sets

Mar. 8, 2026 at 7:55am

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Marta Kostyuk, the 23-year-old Ukrainian tennis player, dominated Taylor Townsend of the United States in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, winning 6-3, 6-2. Kostyuk played a brilliant match to deal with Elena Rybakina in the previous round and continued her strong form against Townsend, adding $25,755 to her prize money earnings and bringing her total winnings for the tournament to $61,865 so far.

Why it matters

Kostyuk's victory over Townsend marks another step in her rise up the women's tennis rankings. The Ukrainian has been steadily improving her results at major tournaments like Indian Wells, having reached the semifinals here in 2024. This win sets up an intriguing third-round matchup against fellow top player Elena Rybakina.

The details

Kostyuk dominated Townsend throughout the match, breaking the American's serve multiple times. After conceding her own serve in the 5th game to trail 2-3, Kostyuk broke back in the 6th and 8th games to take the first set 6-3. In the second set, Kostyuk broke Townsend's serve in the 2nd and 7th games to win the set 6-2 and the match in straight sets.

  • Kostyuk and Townsend faced off in the 2nd round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Marta Kostyuk

A 23-year-old Ukrainian tennis player who has been steadily climbing the women's rankings and reached the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in 2024.

Taylor Townsend

An American tennis player who was defeated by Kostyuk in the 2nd round of the Indian Wells tournament.

Elena Rybakina

A top women's tennis player who Kostyuk will face in the 3rd round after defeating Townsend.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Kostyuk will play Rybakina in the 3rd round, in a matchup of two of the top players on the women's tour.

The takeaway

Kostyuk's dominant performance against Townsend showcases her continued improvement and rise up the rankings, setting up an exciting 3rd round clash against fellow top player Rybakina at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.