Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd Round Thriller
In a stunning upset at the National Bank Open, Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd round, sending shockwaves through the tournament and tennis world. Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova, currently ranked 386th in the world, defeated two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula in a gripping three-set match, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, on Friday. The loss marks another disappointing result for Pegula, while Sevastova’s incredible comeback journey shines as one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.
Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd Round Battle
Sevastova, once ranked as high as No. 11 in 2018, has struggled with injuries in recent years and was competing in just her 24th WTA Tour-level match in four years. Entering the main draw with a protected ranking due to a knee injury, Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd becomes a powerful comeback tale. Her resilience and fighting spirit were on full display, as she broke Pegula’s serve six times on 10 opportunities, showing poise and aggression against the world No. 4.
“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.”
Sevastova’s Comeback from Injury
The victory is especially significant considering Sevastova’s long road back to professional tennis. After giving birth and returning to the tour in early 2024, Sevastova tore her ACL in March during her fourth tournament back, at the ATX Open. Now, Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd demonstrates that her return is far more than symbolic. “It’s tough, but I think I’m a fighter, also on court,” Sevastova said. “I didn’t want to give up. This was really about coming back and showing that you can do it after a torn ACL, after such a setback. It was like unfinished business.”
Her performance in Montreal marks the lowest-ranked player defeating a top-10 opponent since Angelique Kerber edged Jelena Ostapenko last year at Indian Wells. Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd is now cemented as a historical moment in WTA history.
Pegula’s Struggles Continue
For Pegula, the defeat is part of a frustrating trend. The fourth-ranked American has had a rough patch in recent months, having exited Wimbledon and the D.C. Open after just one match in each. Although she won her opening match in Montreal against Maria Sakkari, Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd highlights ongoing inconsistency.
“It hasn’t been great, to be honest,” Pegula admitted. “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.”
The early exit leaves Pegula searching for answers ahead of the upcoming US Open. Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd might serve as a wake-up call as she works to regain her form.
Sevastova to Face Naomi Osaka
Sevastova’s next opponent is none other than Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 from Japan. Osaka moved into the fourth round with a confident 6-2, 6-4 victory over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. The match showcased Osaka’s growing form, as she served five aces and converted six of nine break-point chances in just 72 minutes.
“She broke me a couple times, but she’s a really good returner, so I can’t take that personally,” Osaka said. “I went in there knowing she’s a great player, and if I give her a chance she’s going to hit a winner on me, so I just tried to keep my pace and stay as solid as I could.”
The Sevastova-Osaka matchup is highly anticipated, with Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd adding significant intrigue to this clash.
Swiatek Cruises in Night Session
In other third-round action, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland eased past Germany’s Eva Lys 6-2, 6-2. The second-seeded Swiatek looked sharp and focused, setting up a fourth-round showdown with Denmark’s Clara Tauson, who beat Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 6-0.
“It’s always fun here,” Swiatek said. “It was a solid match so I’m happy to have a chance to play another one here. The match was different from how we played each other last time. I just focused on myself and knew what my plan was.”
While Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd was the headline of the day, Swiatek’s continued dominance is a reminder of her status as a top contender.
More Third-Round Results
Other key matches on Friday included:
- Amanda Anisimova, fifth seed, cruised past England’s Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-1. Anisimova will next face 10th seed Elina Svitolina, who overwhelmed Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-1.
- Sixth-seeded Madison Keys recovered from a slow start to defeat fellow American Caty McNally 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. “Today I did a good job of bouncing back after the first set,” Keys said. “Let go of the first set and move on. Happy I was able to do that.”
The Impact of Sevastova’s Win
Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd is more than just a match result. It represents the power of perseverance and determination. Sevastova’s journey from maternity leave to injury and now to defeating a top-5 player in a major tournament is nothing short of inspiring.
Fans and analysts have praised Sevastova’s gritty performance. Tennis commentator Pam Shriver tweeted, “Incredible heart shown by Sevastova. From injury to triumph. This is what sport is all about.”
Looking Ahead
As the National Bank Open heads into the final rounds, Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd will remain a defining moment. Whether Sevastova can continue her run or Osaka reasserts her dominance remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Sevastova has reminded the tennis world of her talent and fighting spirit.
Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as the tournament progresses, and see how Montreal Surprise: Sevastova Outplays Pegula in 3rd continues to influence the 2025 WTA season.