Jessica Pegula lands on rare list after shocking second-round exit from the Canadian Open

Jessica Pegula's dream of a historic three-peat at the Canadian Open came to a screeching halt on Thursday, as the American tennis star was ousted in the second round by Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova in a stunning upset. Pegula, the world No. 4 and two-time defending champion in Montreal, couldn’t maintain her early momentum and fell 3-6, 6-4, 6-1—marking a disappointing end to her title defense.

A promising start turns into a nightmare

Pegula started strong, taking the first set 6-3 with her signature aggressive baseline play. But Sevastova, a former U.S. Open semifinalist, refused to back down. She adjusted her rhythm, mixed up her shots, and began to dominate the rallies. The tide turned dramatically as Jessica Pegula struggled to find answers in the final two sets. The Latvian closed out the match with a dominant 6-1 third set, sending shockwaves through the women’s draw.

The loss adds to Pegula’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 North American hard-court season, having already suffered a first-round defeat at the Washington Open earlier this month. Her early exits from both tournaments have raised questions about her form ahead of the upcoming US Open.

Denied the three-peat: A rare company

With this defeat, Pegula becomes the latest top-ranked player to fall short in her pursuit of a third consecutive title at a single tournament in 2025. Her attempt to join the elite three-peat club joins a growing list of thwarted champions this year:

Aryna Sabalenka – Australian Open

Iga Swiatek – Qatar Open, Roland Garros

Taylor Fritz – Delray Beach Open

Carlos Alcaraz – Indian Wells Open, Wimbledon

Katie Boulter – Nottingham

Jessica Pegula – Canadian Open

This streak of missed three-peats across both the WTA and ATP tours highlights just how difficult it is to sustain dominance in modern tennis. The game has become increasingly competitive, with rising stars and experienced veterans making each title defense a monumental task.

What’s Next for Jessica Pegula?

Despite the early exit, Pegula remains one of the most consistent players on the WTA tour. However, her recent form suggests that she’ll need to regroup quickly with major tournaments like Cincinnati and the US Open looming large. If Jessica Pegula wants to reclaim her top-tier status, she’ll have to refocus and recapture the confidence that carried her to back-to-back Canadian Open titles.

As for Sevastova, her victory serves as a reminder of her own capabilities on the big stage. With momentum on her side, she could prove to be a dangerous dark horse in the upcoming rounds.