The 2026 BNP Paribas Open is fast approaching, with significant attention centered on American contenders Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. Ahead of the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, former professionals Eugenie Bouchard and Sam Querrey weighed in on which of the two they believe is better positioned to succeed in the California desert.
Eugenie Bouchard Reveals Her Choice Between Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula Ahead of Indian Wells
Pegula has put together a consistent stretch of results this season. The American began strongly at the Brisbane International as the fourth seed, advancing to the semifinals before bowing out to Marta Kostyuk.
She carried that form into the Australian Open, claiming straight-set victories across the board, including against then higher-ranked compatriot Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals to secure a semifinal berth. Her campaign, however, concluded with a straight-set loss to eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
Her graph significantly improved at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, where she entered as a fourth seed. Pegula defeated Varvara Gracheva and Iva Jovic before ousting Clara Tauson in the quarterfinals to reach the last four. She yet again got past Anisimova, this time in three sets to reach the final, where she secured an easy 6-2, 6-4 win over Elina Svitolina, to lift her first title of the season.
Pegula subsequently withdrew from the ATX Open in Texas due to a knee injury but later made herself available for the BNP Paribas Open. She is entering the event as the fifth seed and has received a direct entry into the second round.
Even so, Pegula appears well placed to thrive at Indian Wells. Former world No. 5 Bouchard believes Pegula’s recent consistency and her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title make her a strong contender. She noted minor knee concerns but believes Indian Wells’ slower courts suit Pegula’s game.
“Jess has been so consistent in recent tournaments, and is coming off an impressive win at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She may be dealing with a knee injury but hopefully that is more a function of just how much she’s played to start the season, and not a bigger issue going forward,” she said during a discussion on Tennis Channel.
“She has historically posted stronger results at the Miami Open, but the Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s famous gritty courts should be advantageous to her high-percentage game,” she added.
Now it remains to be seen whether Pegula lives up to that billing amid a tough draw that also features players like world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 2 Iga Świątek, and reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.
Sam Querrey and Paul Annacone Back Coco Gauff for Strong Indian Wells Showing
Gauff, meanwhile, has not quite met the lofty standards she has set for herself. She reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open but suffered a surprising second-round exit in Doha before regaining some momentum in Dubai.
There, she secured wins over Anna Kalinskaya and Elise Mertens to make the quarterfinals, and then got past Alexandra Eala. However, she was ultimately outplayed by the experienced Elina Svitolina, falling in a hard-fought three-set encounter to the Ukrainian.
The 21-year-old will now turn her attention to the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, a title that has so far eluded her. Perhaps that could serve as a motivating factor for her success, according to former world No. 11 Sam Querrey.
“She played great in Dubai, even in the match she lost to Svitolina in the semifinals. She’s never won this event, so I think that could be extra motivation. These courts clearly play to her strengths: a gritty, high-bouncing court can only help her forehand and should give her extra zip on her serve,” he said.
Meanwhile, former tennis player and tennis coach Paul Annacone opined, “I do think Emma Navarro will have a good tournament, but Coco is due for a big run at a top-tier tournament, and her athleticism on these courts should be a perfect fit.”
Gauff also received a direct entry into the second round on the virtue of being the fourth seed. She will start her campaign against the winner of the first-round clash between former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and a qualifier. Meanwhile, Pegula will face the victor of Donna Vekić and Tereza Valentova in the second round.
