Pegula finds foothold to overcome Ostapenko in Indian Wells comeback

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- It took 18 games and nearly 100 points for Jessica Pegula to find a foothold.

Jelena Ostapenko dictated the opening set and a half of Monday’s round of 32 matchup at the BNP Paribas Open, using precise, aggressive hitting to keep her opponent pinned behind the baseline and on the defensive.

But once Pegula steadied her serve and began reading Ostapenko’s delivery more effectively, the momentum shifted ... and quickly.

Pegula, the fifth-ranked player on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, recovered from a sluggish start to defeat Ostapenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the Round of 16 for the second straight year and the third time in four years.

Pegula finished with 11 aces and only one double fault. Ostapenko had three aces but was broken five times. 

For much of the first set and early in the second, Ostapenko struck the ball cleanly and with authority, dictating rallies and threatening to run away with the match. Pegula stayed patient, limiting unforced errors and gradually finding more consistent depth on her groundstrokes.

Key match turning points

• The streak: From the middle of the second set to the beginning of the third, Pegula won six straight games to seize control.

• Third-set pressure: Ostapenko saved a break point in the third game of the final set to hold for a 2-1 lead.

• The equalizer: In the following game, Pegula fired her 10th ace to hold comfortably for 2-2.

• And finally: At 2-2 in the third, Pegula secured the decisive break. Two games later, she broke again, punctuating the lead with a scorching crosscourt forehand winner on the return.

Pegula will next face either Elise Mertens or Belinda Bencic for a place in the quarterfinals.