Match Details
Fixture: (5) Jessica Pegula vs (26) Jelena Ostapenko
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Date: March 9, 2026
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open
Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California, United States
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $9,415,725
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN
Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko preview
Fifth seed Jessica Pegula will take on former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open 2026.
Following a first-round bye, Pegula was up against Donna Vekic in the second round. The American conceded the opening set despite being the first one to go up a break.
Pegula shook off the disappointment of losing the first set with ease. She broke Vekic‘s serve twice in the second set to claim it. She sustained her form in the third set as well, breaking her opponent’s serve twice yet again to score a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 comeback win.
Ostapenko also received a bye into the second round, where Katie Volynets awaited her. The Latvian led by a break twice in the first set, served for it at 5-3, and even held three set points. However, Volynets dug deep to secure a break of serve to get back on serve in the set.
Ostapenko still had the last laugh in the end, snagging another break in the 10th game to take the set. It was Volynets’ turn to squander leads in the second set, blowing her break advantage twice. While she saved a match point to force a tie-break, Ostapenko came out on top in it to register a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win.
Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko head-to-head
Pegula leads their rivalry 2-1 at the WTA level. Ostapenko won their previous encounter at the China Open 2023 in straight sets.
Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko prediction
Pegula overcame a first-set stumble to get the better of Vekic. She extended her unbeaten run to six matches following her latest win. She won the title in Dubai prior to competing here. She also improved her record for the season to 14-2.
Ostapenko egded past Volynets to reach the third round at Indian Wells for the first time since 2023. Her record for the season currently stands at 7-6. She has won consecutive matches only once this year, during her semifinal showing at the Qatar Open. It was also the only time she tallied back-to-back wins since June 2025.
Pegula has reached at least the semifinals of every tournament she has participated in starting with the US Open 2025. She also has a slim lead in her rivalry against Ostapenko. The latter’s form can flip on a dime, so her past results don’t matter that much. Nevertheless, considering Pegula’s current form and her record against the Latvian, she will be the firm favorite to win.
Pick: Jessica Pegula to win in straight sets.
Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have at least 18 games.
Tip 2: Pegula to win at least one set with a score of 6-3.
Edited by Rohit