Four of the world's Top 5 players are still kicking in California, as tennis's elite advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ousted No. 16 Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 in their Round of 16 match on Tuesday, while No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 3 Elena Rybakina, and No. 5 Jessica Pegula also reached the final field of eight players — seven of whom advanced in straight sets this week.
"Had to turn the tables today," Pegula said with a smile after defeating No. 12 Belinda Bencic 6-3, 7-6(5) on Wednesday — the 32-year-old's first win over the Swiss standout in the pair's fifth-career meeting. "Nobody beats me five times in a row."
Pegula might be the only US player left, but North America is well represented by 19-year-old Canadian No. 10 Victoria Mboko, whose quick ascent up the WTA rankings earned her a quarterfinal matchup against top-dog Sabalenka.
"I'm experiencing a lot of things for the first time," Mboko said after cruising to a 6-4, 6-1 win over US star No. 6 Amanda Anisimova in Tuesday's Round of 16 action. "To be out here playing Top 10 players, playing top of the world, it's really a privilege."
How to watch the 2026 Indian Wells Open quarterfinals
Thursday's Indian Wells quarterfinals kick off with No. 1 Sabalenka vs. No. 10 Mboko at 2 PM ET before No. 14 Linda Nosková takes on unseeded Australian and No. 112-ranked Talia Gibson at 4 PM ET.
No. 2 Świątek will contend with No. 9 Elina Svitolina at 5:30 PM ET, with a Top 5 matchup between No. 5 Pegula and No. 3 Rybakina closing out the quarterfinals at 8 PM ET.
Live coverage of all four matches will air on the Tennis Channel.
