Bencic and Cobolli capture Mixed Doubles Invitational title in Indian Wells

Sunday, 15 March 2026 at 02:30

Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli claimed the Mixed Doubles Invitational title at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, defeating Gabriela Dabrowski and Lloyd Glasspool 6–3, 2–6 [10–7] on Saturday afternoon at Indian Wells. The Swiss–Italian partnership prevailed in a competitive final inside Stadium 3, securing the exhibition trophy and the winner’s share of the $1 million prize pool attached to the mixed event.

The event formed part of the entertainment programme alongside the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments in the California desert. Although exhibition in nature, the competition featured several established doubles players and top singles competitors, adding extra attention to the mixed format during the second week of the tournament.

Bencic, the former Olympic champion and US Open semifinalist, paired with Cobolli after the two previously played together during December’s World Tennis Continental Cup exhibition in Shenzhen. Their chemistry carried over to Indian Wells, where they navigated the draw with three straight-set victories before reaching the final.

For Cobolli, currently one of the rising players on the ATP Tour, the week also brought an unexpected off-court storyline involving Bencic’s daughter Bella. The Italian joked that the child had yet to fully accept him despite helping her mother win the tournament. “She's always nice to me. Not like her daughter," he joked after the triumph.

Straight-sets run sets up final triumph

The pair’s route to the final featured several notable victories against experienced doubles combinations. Bencic and Cobolli first eliminated Jelena Ostapenko and Evan King 6–4, 6–3 before defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 6–3, 6–4, results that highlighted the effectiveness of their aggressive baseline play.

Their semifinal victory also included a win over defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champions. The upset confirmed the Swiss–Italian pairing as serious contenders in a field that contained several established doubles specialists.

In the final, they faced Dabrowski and Glasspool, both highly regarded doubles players on their respective tours. Bencic and Cobolli controlled the opening set before their opponents forced a deciding match tiebreak after claiming the second. The Swiss–Italian duo eventually closed the contest 10–7 in the match tiebreak to secure the title.

After the match, Bencic praised her partner’s performance throughout the week, describing his level as decisive in their title run. “I can learn a lot of things from Flavio. It was really nice that he was warming up with me every day. I can see what he can do on the court. Just so talented. I really hope he can become Top 10 very soon. This tournament, I thought he was absolutely on fire. He was just doing everything.”

Mutual praise highlights successful partnership

Cobolli also highlighted what he observed from Bencic during the week, particularly her ability to shift mentality between everyday life and competition. The Italian noted that the Swiss player’s intensity on court influenced his own concentration during the tournament.

“I saw what she does outside the court. She's another person. She's really kind. She's also a mom. When you see her on court, it's completely different. She changes the attitude, she changes her face and the eyes are more on focus. I miss that part in my game sometimes, but with her it’s another thing. I think I stayed focused for all the four matches.”

The partnership even prompted Cobolli to joke about a potential long-term collaboration in mixed doubles, suggesting he would be ready to remain her partner for years. Bencic reacted with surprise before acknowledging that mixed competitions are becoming increasingly attractive additions to the professional calendar. “Now she has a lot of requests. So I'm ready to stay with her until the end of her career.”

Bencic later indicated she would welcome further opportunities to compete in mixed events, noting that tournaments such as the US Open and Rome have begun promoting pre-event mixed competitions as part of their schedules.

“We are focused on singles most of the time, but now I think the mixed competitions are done very nicely. Sometimes the US Open has them, like pre-tournaments, and I think there is one in Rome now. Tournaments are really picking up on it and making it an interesting event, which I love. I would love to play. Why not?”

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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