Jessica Pegula came from behind to beat Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 32 at the BNP Paribas Open. The fifth-ranked player relied on strong serving to advance to the Round of 16. She will next face Belinda Bencic.
In Indian Wells, California, Jessica Pegula faced a challenging start against Jelena Ostapenko in their round of 32 match at the BNP Paribas Open. Ostapenko dominated the first set and much of the second with aggressive groundstrokes, keeping Pegula on the defensive. The match lasted 18 games and nearly 100 points before Pegula gained control.
Pegula steadied her serve, hitting 11 aces—her career high on the WTA Tour—and just one double fault. Ostapenko managed three aces but was broken five times. From the middle of the second set, Pegula won six straight games to shift the momentum decisively.
In the third set, Ostapenko saved a break point to hold for a 2-1 lead. Pegula responded with her 10th ace to level at 2-2. She then broke Ostapenko at 2-2 and again two games later, sealing the 6-2 win with a crosscourt forehand winner on return.
"I think today I had to kind of snap myself back and kind of lock in," Pegula said afterward. "I kept telling myself I wasn't actually playing bad."
She added, "Jelena is always really tough, can be very frustrating with the way she's able to hit winners and take time away."
This victory marks Pegula's return to the Round of 16 for the second straight year and the third time in four years at the event. Bencic advanced by defeating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3. Pegula holds a 0-4 record against Bencic, with their last meeting three years ago.