Coco Gauff vs. Jessica Pegula: Which American woman will have the better Indian Wells?

The 2026 BNP Paribas Open is just around the corner—main-draw action kicks off Wednesday, March 4—and all eyes are on the top players as they descend on Tennis Paradise.

Tennis Channel’s team of analyst handicapped the field and made their picks of all the must-watch players heading into the Sunshine Swing.

1. *Which player are you most excited to see play in Tennis Paradise?*

2. Which player is most likely to kickstart their 2026 season in Indian Wells?

3. Which AO champion is more likely to win Indian Wells: Alcaraz or Rybakina?

4. *Which American man will post the strongest result at the BNP Paribas Open?*

Last up: Which American women is the one to watch in Tennis Paradise?

🖥📲️Stream all the action from Indian Wells **on the TC App**!

EUGENIE BOUCHARD

Jessica Pegula. Jess has been so consistent in recent tournaments, and is coming off an impressive win at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She may be dealing with a knee injury but hopefully that is more a function of just how much she’s played to start the season, and not a bigger issue going forward. She has historically posted stronger results at the Miami Open, but the Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s famous gritty courts should be advantageous to her high-percentage game.

SAM QUERREY

Coco Gauff. She played great in Dubai, even in the match she lost to Svitolina in the semifinals. She's never won this event, so I think that could be extra motivation. These courts clearly play to her strengths: a gritty, high-bouncing court can only help her forehand and should give her extra zip on her serve.

BRETT HABER

Jessica Pegula. It’s been a crazy consistent six months for Pegula, who has made the semifinals or better of her last seven tournaments, culminating with last week’s WTA 1000 win in Dubai. Never sleep on Gauff's chances, but frustration with serve seemed high despite some improvements in the Middle East Swing.

PAUL ANNACONE

Coco Gauff. I do think Emma Navarro will have a good tournament, but Coco is due for a big run at a top-tier tournament, and her athleticism on these courts should be a perfect fit.

NICK MONROE

Jessica Pegula. She’s consistent and full of confidence, but this has been a tournament where she hasn’t often played her best. Now that she’s back up into the Top 5, I think she can break that pattern in 2026.