Jessica Pegula was shocked in the third round of the Canadian Open by world No. 386 Anastasija Sevastova, the absolute surprise of the tournament. The 35-year-old veteran earns her first victory against a top-10 player in five years. The former world No. 56 delivered the biggest upset of the tournament so far in just her second WTA 1000 appearance since 2021.
With this loss, the two-time defending champion is out of the tournament—the first time she has not reached at least the semifinals in her four previous appearances. Sevastova is one of the tournament's biggest surprises and will now prepare to face former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka for a spot in the quarterfinals.
First Set
The first set began quickly and tilted in favor of the American, who secured an early break and went up 2-0. Sevastova quickly corrected her service issues from the first game and managed to keep pace with her opponent, though she couldn't seriously threaten the two-time defending champion's serve.
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Pegula stepped on the gas when she was up 5-3 and got a clean break to take the set 6-3 after 32 minutes. Up to that point, things were going as expected, with Pegula remaining calm and playing well, winning 73% of her first-serve points and 60% of her second-serve points.
Second Set
In the second set, things still started in Pegula's favor, as she got an early break and took a 2-0 lead. However, errors began to creep in for the world No. 4, and the experienced Sevastova turned things around. Two consecutive breaks for the Latvian and a couple of solid service games gave her a 4-2 lead.
Although Pegula managed to recover with a break to tie it again at 4-4, she couldn't sustain her level, and Sevastova ended up securing the set 6-4, saving up to four break points against her in the final game.
Third Set
Sevastova was delivering a shock to an erratic Pegula and maintained her composure in the third set. She saved three more break points early on, and from there, she seized the momentum of the match. Pegula committed error after error and lost consistency on her serve, landing only 53% of her first serves and winning just 50% of those points.
Sevastova managed three consecutive breaks and gave no chances on her serve. The 35-year-old Latvian went from 0-1 to 6-1 in just 31 minutes, securing her best victory in five years.
Match Statistics Sevastova vs. Pegula
| Sevastova | VS | Pegula |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 2 | Aces | 1 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 71% (55/77) | 1st Service Percentage | 59% (47/80) |
| 58% (32/55) | 1st Service Points Won | 55% (26/47) |
| 59% (13/22) | 2nd Service Points Won | 48% (16/33) |
| 69% (9/13) | Break Points Saved | 40% (4/10) |
| 69% (9/13) | Service Games | 54% (7/13) |
| Return | ||
| 45% (21/47) | 1st Return Points Won | 42% (23/55) |
| 52% (17/33) | 2nd Return Points Won | 41% (9/22) |
| Other | ||
| 1h 42m | Match Duration | 1h 42m |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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