The 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal was poised to be a crowning moment for Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and world No. 4, as she aimed for a historic three-peat. Instead, the American star found herself grappling with a shocking third-round exit at the hands of Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova, ranked No. 386, in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 upset that left fans and Pegula herself reeling. In a raw and introspective post-match press conference, Pegula laid bare her frustration, admitting, “It hasn’t been great, to be honest. 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.”
Pegula’s campaign in Montreal began with promise. As the No. 3 seed, she received a first-round bye and opened with a hard-fought victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari, a former world No. 3, showcasing her trademark resilience and clean ball-striking. Her 17-2 record at the Canadian Open, coupled with a 90% win rate—the best in WTA 1000 history for players with at least 20 matches—positioned her as a favorite to join Monica Seles as the only woman to win three consecutive titles at the event. “Everyone keeps reminding me of the opportunity to achieve a triple, but that is still far away, although I hope to find some magic here in Canada,” Pegula had said upon arriving in Montreal, her optimism tempered by recent struggles.
Those struggles came into sharp focus against Sevastova, a 35-year-old veteran who, despite her low ranking, brought experience and tenacity to the court. Pegula dominated the first set 6-3, securing early breaks and winning 73% of her first-serve points. But the tide turned in the second set as unforced errors crept into her game, and Sevastova capitalized, breaking twice to level the match at 6-4. The third set was a collapse for Pegula, who managed only 53% of her first serves and committed 60 unforced errors across the match—an anomaly for a player known for her consistency. Sevastova, by contrast, found her rhythm, racing to a 6-1 decider in just 31 minutes, securing her first top-10 win in five years. “Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better,” Sevastova remarked, highlighting her ability to seize momentum.
Pegula’s defeat marked the end of her 12-match winning streak at the Canadian Open and her dream of a third straight title. It also compounded a challenging start to the North American hard-court swing, following a second-round loss to Leylah Fernandez at the DC Open. “I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I don’t like having to say that,” Pegula confessed, reflecting on her erratic form. “I feel like I’ve gone through phases of my career, a few tournaments where I feel like that sometimes, and you got to figure out how to get out of it and not, you know, feel sorry for yourself or make excuses.” Her words underscored a determination to regroup, especially with the Cincinnati Open and the US Open looming.
The loss sparked a wave of reactions online, with fans expressing shock and disappointment. One social media user wrote, “What a true embarrassment from Jessica Pegula. This is the world number 3?! WTA gotta do better,” while another questioned, “What’s good with Jessica Pegula? US Open finals spot fooled us all?” Pegula’s 2024 season, highlighted by a US Open final run and titles in Berlin, Charleston, and Toronto, had raised expectations, but her recent form—early exits at Wimbledon and Washington—has raised concerns about her consistency on the big stage.
Despite the setback, Pegula remains focused on redemption. “So hopefully going into Cincy, I think that’s definitely going to be my main focus. Every single match is, you know, focusing on those big points in those big games,” she said, pinpointing the need to sustain her high-level play against top opponents. Her 35-14 record this season, including a 26-6 mark on hard courts, suggests she has the tools to rebound. Pegula’s history of overcoming adversity—such as injuries and coaching changes in 2024—fuels her resolve. As she prepares for Cincinnati, where she reached the final in 2024, Pegula’s candid admission and fierce competitive spirit signal a player determined to rediscover her magic before the US Open.
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