In a surprising turn of events at the National Bank Open, two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula faced a tough defeat, losing to Anastasija Sevastova with scores of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the third round. Sevastova, who has battled injuries and a significant drop in ranking to No. 386, showcased her resilience by breaking Pegula six times during the match.
Reflecting on her performance, Sevastova stated, “Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better… It was like unfinished business,” highlighting her determination to overcome challenges, including her recent recovery from a torn ACL. This victory makes Sevastova the lowest-ranked player to defeat a top-10 player since Angelique Kerber achieved a similar feat last year.
Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Pegula expressed her frustration with her recent form, noting her inconsistent play after exiting Wimbledon and the D.C. Open in early rounds. “It hasn’t been great, to be honest,” she admitted, demonstrating her commitment to improve despite the setback.
In other matches, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek had a strong showing, defeating Eva Lys 6-2, 6-2, and will face Clara Tauson next. Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka also advanced to the fourth round with a win over 22nd-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, emphasizing the competitive spirit among the players.
Fifth-seeded Amanda Anisimova overpowered Emma Raducanu with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory, while sixth-seeded Madison Keys rallied to beat Caty McNally after dropping the first set.
Despite Pegula’s loss, the tournament continues to showcase remarkable comebacks and the emergence of new talents, reflecting the vibrant competitiveness of women’s tennis. Sevastova’s journey stands as an inspiring testament to resilience, as she aims to extend her winning streak against Naomi Osaka in the next round.