Belinda Bencic Upsets Coco Gauff to Reach Indian Wells Quarterfinals

The Swiss wildcard, returning from maternity leave, defeated the third seed in a three-set battle to secure her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal as a mother.

Belinda Bencic, a wildcard entry, defeated third-seeded Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Indian Wells Round of 16, marking her second top-five win of 2025.
Bencic, who returned to professional tennis in October 2024 after giving birth, has improved her fitness and mental approach, contributing to her strong recent form.
Despite Gauff's aggressive start, her struggles with double faults and second-serve performance were key factors in the loss, as she committed eight double faults during the match.
Bencic's victory makes her only the sixth wildcard to reach the Indian Wells quarterfinals since the tournament began in 1989, and she will face Madison Keys in the next round.
Gauff, reflecting on her performance, acknowledged progress in her serve but emphasized the need for further improvements as she prepares for upcoming tournaments like the Miami Open.