Jessica Pegula defeats Belinda Bencic in Indian Wells 4th round

American player advances to next round with 6-3, 7-6(5) victory

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:43pm

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Jessica Pegula, the American tennis player, defeated Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the 4th round of the Indian Wells tournament on Wednesday. Pegula won the match in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(5), advancing to the next round of the prestigious event.

Why it matters

This is a significant win for Pegula, who has had mixed results at Indian Wells in the past. Her previous best performance was reaching the quarterfinals in 2021. This victory not only boosts her prize money earnings but also her confidence heading into the later stages of the tournament.

The details

Pegula added $87,925 to her prize money after this win, bringing her total earnings from the tournament so far to $193,645. If she wins her next match, she will earn an additional $146,545, giving her a total of $340,190 in prize money. The head-to-head record between Pegula and Bencic now stands at 1-4 in favor of the Swiss player.

  • The match took place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Jessica Pegula

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked among the top 10 players in the world.

Belinda Bencic

A Swiss professional tennis player who is also ranked among the top 10 players in the world.

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What they’re saying

“This was a really tough match against a great player like Belinda. I'm just happy to have come through it and advance to the next round.”

— Jessica Pegula

What’s next

Pegula will face the winner of the match between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells tournament.

The takeaway

Pegula's victory over Bencic demonstrates her continued growth as a top player on the women's tennis circuit. Her performance at Indian Wells this year could be a sign of even greater success to come in the future.