Jessica Pegula finally solves the Belinda Bencic puzzle in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Forty-four minutes into her BNP Paribas Open round of 16 match versus 12^th-seeded Belinda Bencic, fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula did something versus her opponent that in four previous matches she’d never done: She won a set, taking the opener, 6-3.

One hour and four minutes later, having overcome a 2-0 deficit in the second set and failed to close out the match at 5-4, Pegula had at last earned her first victory over Bencic, 6-3, 7-6 (5), and reached the quarterfinals here for the second time (previously she’d gone that far when, due to COVID-related concerns and scheduling complications in pro tennis, the tournament was played in the fall of 2021).

“Really happy with today, being able to turn around my pretty poor record against Belinda,” said Pegula. “So, you know, when you're able to figure that out and get over that hump, it's always a good feeling.”

Read More: Iga Swiatek won't stop talking 90s films after Indian Wells victory

Pegula and Bencic both build their victories with precision — crisp and predominantly flat drives struck early and either sharp crosscourt or laced down-the-line. But the venue’s mix of thin air, a slow court, and this afternoon’s mildly blustery conditions and a temperature north of 80 degrees made laser-like calibration a complicated matter. Bluntly speaking: Balls fly. Then they slow down.

“It's really tough,” said Pegula. “You know, center is a little bit slower, I would say Stadium 2 almost feels faster. Some of the side courts feel faster, some of the practice courts feel slower. And that's just the variance I think tournaments always kind of have because they're laying down the courts at different times and different days.

“We're kind of used to that, but I think with the thin air and the fact that it can get really hot here, but then also get to cool and get very windy, is really tricky. It's hard to control the ball when the air is really thin and dry, but then the court feels sometimes slow.”

Amid such elemental constrictions, the demand for subtle adjustments in footwork, along with simply tracking down the ball more effectively, were the key factors that tilted today’s match in Pegula’s favor. From the start, she was clearly more comfortable and able to extract errors from a repeatedly flustered Bencic.

“I felt pretty good out there today,” said Pegula. “I think it did get a tiny bit windy with the wind. It was a little tough serving against the wind, especially because we return so well, so when we were kind of sitting on returns and hitting our spots and moving forward, it was tough to defend on that side.”

And as far as the history of this rivalry went, they’d last played one another three years ago, in very different conditions: on clay in the thick air of Charleston. If in some matchups, past is eternally present, that long a gap between matches conjures up another quote: “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.”

Yet serving was less pivotal for either player today. What mattered most was the ability to maintain composure in the conditions and move just well enough to get into position to crack a terminal drive or extract an error. Despite quickly jumping off to a 2-0 lead in the second set, another Bencic double-fault handed back the break. As the Swiss continually struggled to find form, Pegula maintained her trademark brand of sharp focus. But as closing time neared, Pegula faltered. She opened the 5-4 game with a double-fault and dropped serve at 40.

The tiebreaker put Pegula back on course, most notably when broke it open early on. With Bencic serving at 1-2, Pegula lofted a magnificent lob that kept the point alive long enough for her to eventually win it. Next, a feathery backhand drop shot. Going up 6-3, Pegula finished the match two points later with an inside-out forehand winner.

Read More: Can “Woman’s Roger” stop Iga Swiatek? Three must-watch Indian Wells matchups

Pegula next plays Australian Open champ Elena Rybakina, who leads their head-to-head 4-3 and won their last two matches. The American will also attempt to reach the semis of a WTA event for the eighth straight time.  Just prior to Indian Wells, she won the title in Dubai, along the way beating four Top 20 players.

“I think it's just as hard and challenging to be that consistent as it is just to like one off and win one tournament a week,” said Pegula. “Even though obviously you play to win tournaments, I do think I have taken a little bit more pride in how I'm able to show up every single match week in, week out, and be able to be right there every single week.”

This is the kind of focus that’s long made Pegula a fan favorite. Per one of the legendary Billie Jean King’s iconic quotes, persistence is a talent.