Jessica Pegula's title defense kicks off strong: Dispatches Maria Sakkari with authority in Montreal

Jessica Pegula began her Canadian Open title defense with a significant 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari. The world No. 4 achieved her 18th win in 20 matches at the tournament, where she is defending titles won in 2023 and 2024.

The American had faced a tough draw for her return to the courts in Montreal and came into the tournament after suffering a surprising first-round loss at the DC Open to Leylah Fernandez. This time, Pegula managed to find her rhythm and dominate for much of the match against an opponent who was far from what she had shown in recent weeks.

Sakkari – currently only world No. 72 – had secured wins against strong opponents last week in Washington, such as Katie Boulter and Emma Navarro – and seemed like an opponent who could trouble Pegula, especially considering Sakkari arrived with more rhythm after a first-round win against local favorite Carson Branstine.

Furthermore, these two players are very familiar with each other on Tour. They had 11 previous encounters (10 of them on hardcourts), with Pegula leading 6-5. The American extends her advantage in the rivalry and secures her passage to the third round, where she will face Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova – who comes from surprising 25th seed Magda Linette.

The match began relatively evenly, with Sakkari being the first to create break opportunities, but Pegula managed to save them to maintain parity at 1-1. It was precisely then that Sakkari offered a break chance to her opponent, and Pegula showed her effectiveness by converting it on her first opportunity, then taking a 3-1 lead with her serve.

However, Sakkari's reaction would come from the 5th game. After starting her service game down 15-30, she began a streak of 12 consecutive points in her favor, winning her service games easily and then securing two consecutive breaks that took her from 1-3 to 5-3. The Greek had the chance to close out the set on her serve, but she couldn't convert it, and Pegula recovered the break.

In the next game, Pegula was serving to stay in the fight and started 0-40, offering three break points to Sakkari. However, the Greek former world No. 3 was unable to convert any of the 5 set points she had in her favor in the game and allowed the American to tie at 5-5. The 2024 US Open finalist seized the momentum and this time it was she who went on a streak, securing a second consecutive break and closing the set 7-5, having won the last four games in a row. A poor 48% first serve percentage from Sakkari, in addition to her inability to seize her opportunities, ultimately cost the Greek dearly.

It had been a set where Sakkari had the better opportunities but failed to convert them, visibly affecting her mentally. Pegula seized the momentum, and with an early break, she went up 2-0, totaling her 6th consecutive game won.

It was a second set where Pegula was impeccable on serve, with 71% first serves in and winning 82% of those points. She also showed strength on return, and by the 5th game, she secured her second break. The American took a commanding 4-1 lead with a double break advantage, a difference too large at this stage of the match.

Sakkari didn't give up and recovered one of the breaks in the next game, though it wasn't enough to mount a comeback. Both players defended their serve for the rest of the set, and Pegula didn't hesitate to close out the straight-sets victory 7-5, 6-4, after a first part where her dominance in crucial moments was key to the win. Pegula advances to the third round in Montreal, where she will face Latvia's Sevastova.