The clay courts of Strasbourg, typically a final proving ground before the French Open, delivered a significant upset as top seed Jessica Pegula exited the Internationaux de Strasbourg after just one match, succumbing to a remarkable comeback from Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya. The American, currently ranked third in the world, held a commanding lead in the second set, only to see it evaporate in a performance that raises questions just days before Roland Garros.
The encounter on a blustery day in France saw Pegula take the first set 6-4, exhibiting the consistent play that has made her a formidable presence on the tour. She then extended her advantage in the second set, breaking Kalinskaya to establish a seemingly comfortable 3-1 lead. At this juncture, with the momentum firmly in her favor and having won all three of their previous encounters – each a hard-fought three-setter – it appeared Pegula was well on her way to securing her spot in the quarterfinals.
However, the narrative of the match took a dramatic turn. Kalinskaya, ranked 30th in the world, refused to yield. Despite the challenging conditions, which included light drizzle and swirling dust, she remained steadfast, gradually chipping away at Pegula’s lead. The Russian managed to break back and then, crucially, broke Pegula again when the American was serving at 5-4 in the second set, forcing a decisive third set. This pivotal moment not only leveled the match but visibly shifted the psychological balance.
The third set proved to be a stark contrast to the opening exchanges. As the conditions worsened, with heavy rain beginning to fall just as the match concluded, Pegula’s game unraveled. Her error count, which had been relatively contained in the first set, began to mount. Kalinskaya, seizing the initiative, quickly established a dominant 3-0 lead, breaking Pegula twice. The American found herself unable to fight her way back into the match, and Kalinskaya closed out the victory with a commanding 6-2 final set, wrapping up the upset in just under two hours.
This defeat marks a significant moment for Kalinskaya, who not only secured her first victory over Pegula in four attempts but also maintained an impressive, almost uncanny, undefeated record against players ranked inside the Top 3. She is now a perfect 4-0 against such elite competition, a statistic that underscores her ability to rise to the occasion against the very best. Her strategic gameplay and unwavering determination were key factors in overcoming the higher-ranked American.
For Pegula, this early exit is undoubtedly a disappointment, especially given her strong clay-court preparations leading into Strasbourg. She had enjoyed a productive run in Rome, securing three consecutive clay-court victories for the first time in her career, and had expressed confidence in her game. Her coach, Mark Knowles, had previously highlighted Pegula’s evolving mindset, noting that her belief in her ability to win Grand Slams had been “validated” by past successes, and her current approach was to “show up to win this event” before every tournament. This recent loss, however, adds to a string of recent disappointments and signals a need for her to regroup and refocus ahead of Roland Garros.
The quick turnaround to the French Open means Pegula will have little time to dwell on this upset. The clay-court major presents a new challenge, and her ability to quickly analyze and rectify the issues that plagued her performance in Strasbourg will be critical. While she has demonstrated resilience and a strong competitive spirit throughout her career, the manner of this loss, particularly after holding a significant lead, will undoubtedly be a point of introspection for the American as she prepares for the demanding Grand Slam in Paris.
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