Day two of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells features promising American Sebastian Korda, tennis legend Venus Williams, and returning player Jennifer Brady. Korda seeks to build on recent form, Williams aims to snap a losing streak, and Brady makes her comeback after injuries. Matches highlight home talent and veteran resilience.
The BNP Paribas Open continues under sunny skies in Indian Wells on Thursday, with several notable first-round matches drawing attention.
Sebastian Korda, a 25-year-old from Florida ranked No. 37, enters the tournament in strong physical condition after overcoming a shin injury that marked a low point in his career. "Feeling the best physically I’ve felt in the last couple of years," Korda told Tennis Channel recently. He has won 11 of his last 13 matches, including his third career title in Delray Beach last month. Following a drop to a Challenger event in San Diego, where he reached the final, Korda credits the experience with rebuilding his confidence. "Since coming back on tour after my leg injury, it was definitely the darkest time in my tennis career," he said. His father, Petr Korda, once lost to Pete Sampras in the 1994 Indian Wells singles final. Korda faces debutant Francisco Comesana, ranked 82nd from Argentina, in the night session at Stadium 1.
Venus Williams, 45, appears in her fifth singles match of 2026, becoming the oldest women's player in tournament history, surpassing Kimiko Date's mark from 2015. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, raised in California, looks to end a seven-match losing streak against French qualifier Diane Parry, who uses a one-handed backhand. Williams nearly upset Olga Danilovic at the Australian Open, leading 4-0 in the third set before falling. She reached the semifinals here in 2018, losing a three-setter to Daria Kasatkina. The match is scheduled for the day session at Stadium 1.
Jennifer Brady, 30 and ranked outside the top 800, returns after nearly two-and-a-half years sidelined by foot and knee injuries requiring surgery. The former UCLA standout made the 2020 US Open semifinals and 2021 Australian Open final, both times defeated by Naomi Osaka. Brady began her comeback at the San Diego Challenger and lost in qualifying last week in Austin. As a wildcard, she meets world No. 57 Antonia Ruzic at Stadium 2; Ruzic reached the Dubai quarterfinals as a lucky loser.
