The bright lights of the National Bank Open in Montreal cast a harsh spotlight on Jessica Pegula’s unexpected third-round exit on August 1, 2025, as the two-time defending champion fell to a resurgent Anastasija Sevastova in a gripping 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 upset. The world No. 4, who had arrived in Canada with hopes of securing a historic three-peat, was left grappling with frustration and self-doubt after what she described as “sloppy” tennis derailed her campaign. “It hasn’t been great, to be honest,” Pegula admitted in a candid post-match press conference. “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, a 31-year-old American known for her consistency and mental fortitude, started the match with authority, breaking Sevastova early and cruising through the first set with a commanding 6-3 scoreline. The Buffalo native, who reached the US Open final in 2024 and won titles in Charleston, Austin, and Bad Homburg earlier this year, appeared poised to continue her dominance at a tournament where she had an 11-match winning streak, the longest since Serena Williams’ 14 consecutive victories from 2011 to 2014. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. “It was a weird match for me,” Pegula reflected. “I felt like I had total control and then I just played a couple of terrible games for, like, three games. That totally flipped the momentum of the match, and I went from being up a set and 2-0 to being down very quickly.”
Sevastova, a 35-year-old Latvian ranked No. 386 and playing with a protected ranking after returning from maternity leave and a torn ACL, capitalized on Pegula’s lapse. The former world No. 11, who had been sidelined for much of 2024, showcased her resilience by breaking Pegula six times on ten opportunities, particularly dominating in the third set where she surged to a 4-1 lead. “Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better,” Sevastova said. “Third set, I played really good. Just trying to stay on the court as long as possible.” Her tactical precision and ability to save nine of thirteen break points frustrated Pegula, who struggled to regain her footing.
This defeat marks a continuation of a challenging stretch for Pegula, who also suffered early exits at Wimbledon and the D.C. Open in July, falling to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, respectively. Despite her earlier successes in 2025, including a victory over world No. 1 Iga Świątek at the United Cup, Pegula’s recent form has been inconsistent. “I feel like I’ve gone through phases in my career, a few tournaments, where I feel like that sometimes, and you have to figure out how to get out of it and not feel sorry for yourself or make excuses,” she said. “I’ve got to figure it out.”
As Pegula looks ahead to the Cincinnati Open and the looming US Open, where she reached the final last year, she emphasized the need to sharpen her focus on critical moments. “Hopefully going into Cincy, I think that’s definitely going to be my main focus. Every single match is focusing on those big points and those big games,” she explained. “I do think I am playing some good tennis to get up in these matches, and there are times where I’m reeling off six, seven really good games, and then it kind of falls away.” Her perfectionist streak, which she admitted fuels her frustration, may yet drive her to rediscover the form that made her a top contender.
Sevastova, meanwhile, advances to face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, a matchup that promises to test her newfound momentum. For Pegula, the road to Flushing Meadows now demands a reset, as the American seeks to channel her disappointment into determination on home soil.
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