At the Canadian Open in Montreal, American tennis star and World No. 4 Jessica Pegula is set to face Latvian veteran Anastasija Sevastova in the round of 32. Pegula, the two-time defending champion of this prestigious WTA 1000 event, aims to extend her dominance, while Sevastova, a determined comeback player, seeks to prove her mettle once again.
Though Sevastova’s 2025 season began with several early exits, she has displayed renewed vigor in Montreal by advancing past strong opponents like Ajla Tomljanović and Magda Linette. The upcoming contest will test whether Sevastova’s resilience and experience can match Pegula’s current form and home-court momentum.
Sevastova’s Journey: From Early Challenges to a Remarkable Tennis Comeback
Born in April 1990 in Liepaja, Latvia, Anastasija Sevastova was introduced to tennis at the age of six by her grandmother. Raised by her mother, Diana Golovanova, an English teacher and single parent, Sevastova developed her passion for the sport gradually. Turning professional in 2006, she debuted on the WTA Tour in 2007 but initially faced struggles, failing to progress beyond early rounds.
Her breakthrough came in 2010 when she won her first WTA title at the Oeiras tournament, becoming the first Latvian woman in 17 years to claim a singles title. She climbed the rankings steadily, reaching the top 50 later that year. However, chronic injuries forced her retirement in 2013, interrupting a rising career.
Refusing to give up, Sevastova returned to professional tennis in 2015, starting from smaller events to regain shape. Her hard work paid off as she reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2016 and 2017. The pinnacle of her career came in 2018, when she reached the US Open semifinals, losing to Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion. This run catapulted her to a career-high ranking of No. 11 later that year.
Overall, Sevastova has won four WTA singles titles and amassed over $8.4 million in career prize money. Despite the challenges of motherhood and periods of injury, she continues to pursue her career with determination.
Recent Struggles and Signs of Promise on Tour
Sevastova’s recent years on tour have been marked by personal and physical hurdles. After giving birth to her daughter Alexandra in December 2022 with her long-time trainer and partner Ronald Schmidt, she faced an extended maternity leave. Her 2024 campaign was interrupted by an ACL injury, necessitating another lengthy break from competition.
Returning to the circuit in April 2025 at the Madrid Open, she struggled to find rhythm, exiting in the round of 32. However, she showed glimpses of a comeback at the Morocco Open by advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian. Her current form at the Canadian Open, highlighted by back-to-back wins, suggests a resurgence heading into her high-profile clash with Pegula.
Head-to-Head History and the Challenge Ahead
Jessica Pegula and Anastasija Sevastova have met twice previously, with their head-to-head record evenly split. Their most recent encounter was in 2019 at the Charleston Open, where Pegula secured victory in the round of 32. The upcoming match in Montreal presents both players with a critical moment to tilt the rivalry in their favor.
As the defending champion and a formidable competitor on home soil, Pegula will seek to impose her game and maintain momentum in the tournament. Sevastova, despite years away from peak form and balancing motherhood, aims to leverage her experience and renewed tenacity to challenge Pegula’s dominance.
The Broader Context of the Canadian Open Competition
The Canadian Open has already witnessed intense moments this season, including notable behavioral incidents from players and shocking withdrawals due to injury. High-profile clashes and emotional farewells have marked the event, underscoring the tournament’s competitive intensity.
In this charged atmosphere, the Pegula-Sevastova encounter stands out as one of the key showdowns, symbolizing the tension between a reigning top contender and a tenacious veteran striving to reclaim her place among the elite.
What’s at Stake and the Road Ahead
For Jessica Pegula, victory represents another step towards solidifying her status at the top of women’s tennis and defending her Canadian Open crown for a third consecutive year. For Anastasija Sevastova, the match offers an opportunity to defy the odds, reignite her career, and inspire many by overcoming physical setbacks and life changes.
The outcome will not only affect the trajectory of both players’ campaigns in Montreal but could also signal the potential for future encounters that carry heightened intensity. As the tournament unfolds, fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if Sevastova’s resilience can disrupt Pegula’s stronghold and what that might foreshadow for the remainder of the WTA season.