Elina Svitolina Stuns Jessica Pegula to Enter Indian Wells QF’s

Indian Wells

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, seeded 23rd, fought through rain and a tough opponent to reach the Indian Wells Open quarterfinals, defeating No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

Though she lost the first set, Svitolina made a strong comeback, winning 12 of the last 15 games. This win takes her to her 21st WTA 1000 quarterfinal and her first since 2021.

During the match, rain interrupted play after the first game of the third set. But after the delay, Svitolina returned determined and dominated the game.

Pegula, who recently won the Austin title, could not stop Svitolina this time. Svitolina now holds just her third win over Pegula in eight matches.

This is also Svitolina’s first quarterfinal at Indian Wells since 2019. She will next face 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Elena Rybakina 6-1, 6-2. Andreeva recently won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and became the youngest player to break into the Top 10 since 2007.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek crushed Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals. Swiatek has dropped only six games in three rounds, tying Monica Seles’ record for the fewest games lost before the quarterfinals at Indian Wells. Swiatek is now aiming to be the first woman to win three Indian Wells titles and the first to defend it since 1991.