Indian Wells, CA – The 2026 BNP Paribas Open got underway on Tuesday with a pair of notable results in the women’s singles draw. Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume, ranked 136th in the world, secured a straight-set victory over American Alycia Parks, whereas Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan ousted former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in a decisive performance.
Sakatsume’s win against the 96th-ranked Parks marks a successful start to her campaign at the prestigious tournament. The match, played on a hard court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, saw Sakatsume take control early, winning 6-4 in the first set and continuing her momentum with a 6-3 victory in the second. The entire match lasted one hour and 29 minutes, with Sakatsume capitalizing on seven break point opportunities, converting four of them to secure the win. This result propels Sakatsume into the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
The tournament too witnessed a significant upset as Yulia Putintseva defeated 2021 BNP Paribas Open champion Paula Badosa. Putintseva secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Spaniard, marking her second win in six career matches against Badosa. Their previous victory for Putintseva came in 2022, although that match ended prematurely with Badosa withdrawing due to injury.
Sakatsume’s Uphill Battle and Hard Court Form
While Parks was favored entering the match, with odds of -130 compared to Sakatsume’s +100, according to BetMGM Sportsbook as reported by USA Today Sportsbook Wire, Sakatsume demonstrated resilience and effective play. Over the past year, Sakatsume has maintained a 7-5 record on hard courts, converting 47.7% of her break points (51 of 107) . She recently competed at the ATX Open, where she lost to Claire Liu in the Qualification round with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 3-6 on February 21st.
Putintseva’s Dominance and Badosa’s Struggles
Putintseva’s victory over Badosa is particularly noteworthy given Badosa’s previous success at Indian Wells. Badosa claimed the title in 2021, but has struggled to replicate that form in subsequent years. Putintseva’s performance showcased her ability to capitalize on opportunities against a higher-ranked opponent.
Tournament Details and Prize Money
The 2026 BNP Paribas Open is being held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. The tournament features a hard court surface and boasts a total prize pool of $9,415,725 according to Yahoo Sports. The event is attracting top players from around the globe, and the early rounds are already delivering compelling matchups.
The tournament began on March 4th, 2026, with matches continuing throughout the week. Fans can watch the action on the Tennis Channel and other sports networks via Fubo .
The BNP Paribas Open will continue with further first-round matches, setting the stage for a competitive tournament as players vie for the title and valuable ranking points. The focus now shifts to the upcoming matches and the potential for further upsets as the tournament progresses.
Share your thoughts on these early results and predictions for the rest of the tournament in the comments below!
