For the second time in as many matches this week in Indian Wells, Jessica Pegula found herself a set down -- and for the second time in as many matches, the No.3 seed found a way to win.

In 2 hours and 17 minutes, Pegula rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over No.27 seed Anastasia Potapova in Sunday's third round to reach the last 16 in the California desert for the second time in her career. She previously came from a set down to beat Italy's Camila Giorgi in her first match.

In addition to coming from a set down against Potapova, Pegula was 3-1 down in the decider. She also saved a break point at 4-4 in the second set and won seven of the last eight points to extended the match.

Words from the winner: Pegula said the key to turning the match around was an all-around improvement in her level.

For much of the first hour-plus of the match, she found herself on the losing end of protracted baseline rallies that Potapova was dictating. 

"I think I started playing a little bit smarter, getting a lot of depth on my shots, everything got a little bit better," Pegula said. "She came out playing really well and I was pretty frustrated. She's a great player. ... I knew that she's been playing great. [At the net] I just told her, 'Congrats,' and I think it was just a respectable battle today." 

Up next: A Grand Slam champion awaits Pegula next, as she'll play Petra Kvitova for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Kvitova bounced back from a first-set bagel to defeat another major champion, Jelena Ostapenko in three sets 0-6, 6-0, 6-4.