Jessica Pegula stunned by world No.386 in massive Canadian Open upset

Jessica Pegula was stunned by world No. 386 Anastasija Sevastova at the Canadian Open on Friday as she was knocked out of the tournament after throwing away a one-set advantage. The American, who was aiming to win the tournament for the third year in a row, had eased past Maria Sakkari in her opening match but came unstuck against her second opponent, despite storming to an early lead.

Pegula cruised through the opening set in her third-round showdown with Sevastova and then broke serve early on in the second set to lead 6-3, 2-0. But from that point, it was all about Sevastova as the Latvian eventually won 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. The result means Pegula has won just one of her last four matches after suffering a defeat to Leylah Fernandez in her opening match at the Washington Open following her first-round loss against Elisabetta Cocciaretto at Wimbledon.

Pegula has proven to be somewhat imperious during her recent trips to Montreal and got the better of compatriot Amanda Anisimova in last year's final after thrashing Liudmila Samsonova in the showpiece match at the venue a year earlier.

She also reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 2021 and 2022, and was among the favourites to lift the trophy once again this time around.

But Pegula lacked a ruthless edge against 35-year-old Sevastova, who used to be ranked at No. 11 in the world, as she allowed her opponent to turn the match around against the odds.

"It hasn't been great, to be honest," Pegula admitted after her defeat to Sevastova as she discussed her recent struggles on the court.

"I don't really feel like I'm playing great tennis. At times I am, but I feel very up and down, kind of sloppy, which I don't like.

"It really bothers me. You have to figure out how to get out of it and not feel sorry for yourself or make excuses. I've got to figure it out. I feel like I felt pretty confident knowing I like playing here. I've always had good results here.

"Did I win DC coming into here? No, but at the same time I've won tournaments and lost first round. Nothing in tennis makes sense sometimes."

Pegula will now turn her attention to the upcoming US Open, which gets underway at Flushing Meadows in late August.

The 31-year-old reached the final of the tournament last year but missed out on the title after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.

That match was the first time Pegula had reached the final of a Grand Slam, with the star failing to progress beyond the fourth round of any of the first three Majors in 2025.