The BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals are set, promising thrilling matchups in Indian Wells. Wildcard Belinda Bencic stunned Coco Gauff, leaving Madison Keys as the only American remaining in the draw. Meanwhile, defending champion Iga Swiatek and 2023 finalist Aryna Sabalenka both secured their spots in the next round.
In the Australian Open round of 16, Coco Gauff edged out Belinda Bencic in three sets, but this time, she struggled to find her rhythm against the determined Swiss. Bencic, now a new mother, credited her improved fitness for the turnaround, telling the media, “I just kept on working also on the physical side. I felt like in the last matches in tournaments, I kind of was able to play back-to-back, some three-set matches, and am fresher every time, almost like it was before.”
Madison Keys will face Bencic for a spot in the semifinals, with their head-to-head tied at 2-2 since their first meeting in 2015. The American battled past an in-form Donna Vekic, 4-6 7-6(7) 6-3, to advance. Fresh off her maiden Grand Slam title in Australia, the fifth seed has embraced a newfound ease on court, making her an even greater threat, “I’m really enjoying myself out there, kind of riding the wave of momentum.”
In the first quarterfinal, top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face…
