INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Belinda Bencic is hoping the desert landscape of Indian Wells will provide a familiar and favorable setting to rediscover her form after a challenging start to the 2026 season. Following an early exit at the Australian Open and a subsequent illness-related pause, the Swiss player is looking to build momentum at a tournament where she has previously enjoyed success.
Bencic had enjoyed a strong run of form leading into the Australian Open, winning 12 consecutive matches dating back to her tournament victory in Tokyo in late October 2025. Still, a second-round loss in Melbourne abruptly halted that streak, and an illness in Abu Dhabi further disrupted her momentum. “It’s kind of crazy,” Bencic said after her match in Dubai, as reported by Field Level Media, “how quickly you lose the confidence, and how long it takes to obtain it back.” A subsequent run to the round of 16 in Dubai, where she lost a tight three-set match to Jelena Ostapenko, offered a positive step forward.
Indian Wells appears to be a promising venue for Bencic to regain her footing. Last year, just 11 months after giving birth to her daughter Bella, she reached the quarterfinals as a wildcard recipient. In 2019, she advanced even further, reaching the semifinals. Now ranked No. 12 in the world as of February 9, 2026, according to Wikipedia, Bencic will begin her campaign on Friday or Saturday against Magdalena Frech of Poland (WTA No. 36) or Storm Hunter of Australia (WTA No. 234).
Bencic’s recent success at Indian Wells underscores her comfort on the hard courts of the Californian desert. The tournament’s slower surface and higher altitude often favor players with strong groundstrokes and the ability to dictate play – qualities that align with Bencic’s game style. Her ability to consistently hit deep, penetrating shots and vary her pace can be particularly effective in these conditions.
The WTA Tour also announced a new paid maternity program, financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, during the BNP Paribas Open, a development Bencic welcomed. “I’m really lucky,” Bencic said, as reported by Field Level Media. “Our life has changed for the better. Tatjana [Maria] is a mom of two so it was great to play against her also. I’m really feeling like We find so many moms on the tour now… just trying to show everyone that it’s possible to have a baby and also play professional tennis.”
Elsewhere in the tournament, Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima defeated former Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu 6-3, 6-2, and will next face No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who received a bye into the second round. Sofia Kenin also secured a comfortable victory over Maddison Inglis 6-2, 6-1, after Sloane Stephens withdrew due to a foot injury. Caty McNally advanced after her opponent, Ajla Tomljanovic, retired during their match.
Results
(Further results will be updated as the tournament progresses.)
Bencic’s first-round match against either Frech or Hunter will be a crucial test as she aims to build confidence and advance deeper into the tournament. A strong showing in Indian Wells could provide a significant boost to her ranking and set the stage for a successful spring hard-court season. Fans can follow Bencic’s progress and the latest updates from the BNP Paribas Open on the official WTA Tour website and through Archysport’s ongoing coverage.
