Pegula falls in Montreal; Osaka advances decisively

Pegula Surprisingly Eliminated in Montreal

The current champion Jessica Pegula, in an unexpected defeat, was eliminated in the third round of the National Bank Open. Anastasija Sevastova, with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, achieved the victory, surprising everyone present. Sevastova, 35, from Latvia, who reached number 11 in the ranking in 2018, but is currently in 386th place, demonstrated her ability by breaking Pegula’s serve on six out of ten opportunities.

Somehow, I was losing 2-0 in the second set and started playing better and better. In the third set, I played really well. I was just trying to stay on the court as long as possible.
Anastasija Sevastova

In the night session, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek dominated Eva Lys of Germany with a resounding 6-2, 6-2. Swiatek, seeded number two, advanced to face Clara Tauson of Denmark, who defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine with a score of 6-3, 6-0. Sevastova, who has played 24 WTA-level matches in the last four years, earned a place in the main draw thanks to a protected ranking due to a knee injury. In March 2024, in her fourth tournament after her maternity leave, she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the ATX Open.

It’s difficult, but I think I’m a fighter, also on the court. I didn’t want to give up. This was really about coming back and proving that you can after an ACL tear, after such a setback. It was like unfinished business.
Anastasija Sevastova

Pegula’s defeat continues an unfavorable streak for the player ranked fourth, who, although she won her first match in Montreal against Maria Sakkari of Greece, was eliminated from Wimbledon and the D.C. Open after only one match in July.

To be honest, it hasn’t been great. I don’t really feel like I’m playing great tennis. Sometimes I am, but I feel very inconsistent, a bit sloppy, which I don’t like. It really bothers me.
Jessica Pegula

Sevastova will face Naomi Osaka, who advanced to the fourth round after defeating Jelena Ostapenko with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Osaka, former world number 1, hit five aces and converted six of nine break opportunities, securing the victory in 1 hour and 12 minutes.

She broke my serve a couple of times, but she’s a very good returner, so I can’t take it personally. I went in knowing she’s a great player, and if I give her a chance, she’s going to hit a winner, so I just tried to keep my rhythm and stay as solid as possible.
Naomi Osaka

Amanda Anisimova of the United States, seeded number five, defeated Emma Raducanu of England with a score of 6-2, 6-1. Anisimova will face Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, seeded number 10, who defeated Anna Kalinskaya of Russia with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Madison Keys, seeded number six, defeated Caty McNally with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.