Elina Svitolina, the 23rd seed at the Indian Wells WTA 1000, staged an outstanding comeback from a set down to halt Jessica Pegula’s winning streak, earning herself a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time since becoming a mother.
The Ukrainian tennis star initially found herself on the back foot, conceding an early break to the fourth-seeded American. Despite rallying to recover, Svitolina was further set back as Pegula, fresh off a seven-match winning spree crowned by her WTA 250 tournament victory in Austin, again broke in the eleventh game. She then served out the opener in the subsequent game, leaving Svitolina trailing.
However, the struggle of the first set only seemed to steel Svitolina’s resolve. The former world No. 3 turned the tables in the second set, breaking Pegula’s serve twice to bag the set with ease. She continued her resurgence at the onset of the decider, breaking her opponent in the opening game of the final set.
A rain delay of three hours then paused the momentum, but Svitolina returned to the court undeterred. The 30-year-old registered another break in the fifth game, securing a double-break lead before serving out for the match. Now, she prepares to face the victor of the contest between Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva.
This clash was more than just a game. Pegula, the 2024 US Open finalist, had been aiming to secure the Indian Wells title for US women’s tennis – a feat not achieved since Serena Williams’ triumph in 2001. This desert-based tournament had been the American’s chance to end the drought.
Pegula had previously expressed the prestige associated with the Indian Wells tournament, noting its place on many tennis fans’ bucket lists. “Even though it’s not a slam, it’s definitely up there as kind of being a prestigious tournament to win,” she had admitted last week. But Svitolina’s stellar comeback has put an end to Pegula’s hopes of making history at Indian Wells this year.
