INDIAN WELLS, California - The 2025 BNP Paribas Open has kicked off its fourth round with electrifying matches setting the stage for intense competition, as top seeds battle for coveted quarterfinal slots. With some prominent upsets already marking the early stages, anticipation is building for the remaining matches scheduled to close out Wednesday.
On March 12, the day began with some powerful confrontations where fans eagerly awaited the re-match between American No. 1 Coco Gauff and Switzerland's Belinda Bencic. Gauff, who had previously faced Bencic at the Australian Open, found herself challenged again, but was unable to fend off Bencic, who took the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This marked Bencic's incredible return to form after her maternity break last year, where she is now moving confidently through the tournament. Gauff, initially showing aggressive play, ended up committing five double faults, and she appeared unable to adapt to Bencic's tactical shifts during the match.
“This is why you practice and work hard all your life,” noted Bencic after the intense match, reflecting on the support she received from the crowd, which provided her with the motivation to edge out the tightly contested third set.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, continued her dominant run at the tournament with an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory over unseeded Sonay Kartal. Despite facing early adversity with a code violation for audible obscenity, Sabalenka rebounded to secure her spot for the next round. Kartal had entered the tournament as a "lucky loser", reaching the fourth round with commendable performances, but could not withstand Sabalenka's relentless play.
“It was really challenging, but I’m glad I could perform well today,” Sabalenka commented, showcasing her confidence heading toward the quarterfinals.
Moving to the men’s draw, British player Jack Draper triumphed over third seed Taylor Fritz, winning 7-5, 6-4, leaving Fritz as the only past champion at Indian Wells who could not advance, as Ben Shelton did—becoming the youngest American man to reach the final eight since Andy Roddick after defeating Brandon Nakashima 7-6(6), 6-1. Draper and Shelton are set to duel for the opportunity to progress even closer to the championship.
Both players previously faced one another and carry the pressure of their respective histories, with Shelton boasting victories over Draper at their past matches. Nail-biting matches among the men's elite continued as Francisco Cerundolo overcame Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-3, showing consistency as he moves forward against formidable opposition.
“I feel good about my game and I believe I can continue this momentum through the later rounds,” remarked Cerundolo, highlighting his aspirations post-match.
On the women’s side, Madison Keys, fresh off her Australian Open triumph, faced Donna Vekic. The match had its ups and downs, but Keys showcased her resilience, battling back from losing the first set to take it 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3. Keys noted earlier, “You never know how it’s going to go after these long matches, but I focus on my own game.” Vekic, too, showed determination throughout the match, undergoing significant shifts from prior performances this season.
A major highlight of the quarterfinal lineup is set to feature Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, as he faced Grigor Dimitrov, who previously defeated Alcaraz at the Miami Masters. Their history has led to considerable fanfare; Alcaraz seeks to avenge his recent loss, enhancing the stakes of their upcoming match.
Adding to the tournament's tale, both Jasmine Paolini and Liudmila Samsonova showcased promising skills on the court as they competed for their own slots to become one of the last eight, with Samsonova recently defeating Paolini 6-0, 6-4. This victory marks Samsonova’s remarkable play as she continues to progress within this tournament.
All matches this Wednesday display remarkable talent and determination, promising exciting viewing as the round progresses. The finals for singles are slated for March 16, with winners of this intense round gearing up for the championship showdown.
Fans can follow detailed match scores and updates on bnpparibasopen.com.