Pegula, Defending Champion in Canada, Ousted in Third Round by World No. 386

Jessica Pegula was the two-time defending champion of the Canadian Open, having won the previous two editions in Montreal and Toronto.

Returning to Quebec this year, the world No. 4 arrived with somewhat disappointing results, having lost in the first round at Wimbledon and then in Washington during her hardcourt comeback. With the pressure of defending the 1000 points from her victory last year, Pegula started the tournament with a win against Maria Sakkari (7-5, 6-4).

In the third round this Friday, she faced Anastasija Sevastova, ranked 386th in the world but a former top-20 player. The 35-year-old Latvian, buoyed by her three-set victories over Tomljanovic and Linette, rallied to defeat the American 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sevastova became the third-lowest-ranked player since 1990 to defeat a top-5 player in a WTA 1000 event. Naomi Osaka now awaits her in the round of 16.

In a rough patch, Pegula will have much at stake in Cincinnati, where she is defending a final appearance, followed by the US Open, where she also reached the final last year.