Belinda Bencic pulled off a stunning victory over local favourite Coco Gauff, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals. The Swiss claimed her 11th career win over a top-10 player, knocking out one of the tournament's biggest title contenders.
It was one of the matches of the tournament so far — a rollercoaster with both players having chances to clinch the win. In the end, small details swung the match in Bencic’s favour, showcasing remarkable resilience as she fought back in the latter stages.
First Set
The 20-year-old American took the early lead with a quick break, but Bencic struck back immediately to level at 2-2. Gauff, brimming with confidence, played shots close to the lines and found sharp angles, looking especially assertive with her forehand — a rare sight from the World No. 3.
A decisive break in the sixth game secured Gauff the set 6-3. She was impeccable on serve, landing 64% of her first serves and winning 80% of those points, while Bencic managed a 66% first-serve percentage, winning 62% of them.
Second Set
Before the second set began, Bencic took a medical timeout to treat minor injuries on her left toes. She quickly held serve and capitalised on early doubts from Gauff’s side, breaking her opponent’s serve soon after. A double fault and a string of unforced forehand errors proved costly for Gauff, who has struggled with her serve throughout the tournament when ahead.
Bencic’s early break put her up 3-0, a lead Gauff could never recover from. The American improved her serving, winning 12 of her next 13 points on serve, but couldn’t create a single break opportunity. Bencic remained solid and sealed the set 6-3.
Third Set
Bencic called for another medical timeout, once again treating her toes. The tension peaked as both players fought to hold serve. At 4-4, Gauff seemed slightly better positioned for the closing stages, with the crowd growing louder in support of the home favourite. However, the pressure got to Gauff once again — she squandered a 40-0 lead on her serve, eventually conceding a crucial break to Bencic.
The Swiss star kept her composure, calmly serving out the match to clinch a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, reaching her first WTA 1000 quarter-final since the 2023 Canadian Open. Bencic will face either newly crowned Australian Open champion Madison Keys (5th seed), riding a 14-match winning streak, or Croatian silver medallist from Paris 2024, Donna Vekic (19th seed).
With this run, Bencic has ensured a return to the top 45. Just over two months into the 2025 season, the 28-year-old wasted no time rediscovering her top form, improving her record to 17-4.
Match Statistics Gauff vs. Bencic
| Gauff | VS | Bencic |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 4 | Aces | 0 |
| 8 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 69% (60/87) | 1st Service Percentage | 73% (65/89) |
| 78% (47/60) | 1st Service Points Won | 69% (45/65) |
| 33% (9/27) | 2nd Service Points Won | 50% (12/24) |
| 40% (2/5) | Break Points Saved | 0% (0/2) |
| 79% (11/14) | Service Games | 86% (12/14) |
| Return | ||
| 31% (20/65) | 1st Return Points Won | 22% (13/60) |
| 50% (12/24) | 2nd Return Points Won | 67% (18/27) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 2h 20m | Match Duration | 2h 20m |
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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