Anastasija Sevastova upset Jessica Pegula at the National Bank Open in Montreal on Friday, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the third round. Pegula, the two-time defending champion and the tournament’s third seed, was unable to maintain her early dominance as Sevastova mounted a strong comeback.

Despite facing 13 break points, Sevastova saved nine to secure the victory. She kept a steady first-serve percentage of 71 percent while turning the match around against the higher-ranked Pegula.

Sevastova’s Rally and Pegula’s Unexpected Downfall

After losing the first set, Sevastova found her rhythm, reversing a 0-2 deficit in the second set and playing progressively better.

“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.”

—Anastasija Sevastova

Pegula initially appeared in control, winning eight of the first 11 games, but Sevastova’s streak of four consecutive games shifted momentum. Following the second set win, Sevastova dropped the opening game of the third but then dominated the remainder of the match.

Pegula expressed confusion at her performance drop-off.

“It was a strange match for me,”

Pegula said.

“I felt like I was in complete control, and then I played a couple of terrible games.”

—Jessica Pegula

Sevastova’s Career Context and Upcoming Match

Once ranked as high as No. 11 in 2018, Sevastova’s ranking had fallen to No. 396 before Friday’s match, largely due to injury setbacks. Notably, she reached the semifinals of the 2018 U.S. Open before losing to Serena Williams, who went on to finish as runner-up.

Sevastova will now face Naomi Osaka, a former world No. 1 and 2018 U.S. Open champion, in the next round. Osaka advanced to the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Latvia’s No. 22 seed, Jelena Ostapenko, showcasing five aces and converting six of nine break points.

Other Notable Results at the National Bank Open

Several other seeded players progressed in Montreal on Friday. No. 6 Madison Keys recovered from a slow start to defeat Catherine McNally 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Switzerland’s No. 16 Clara Tauson earned a convincing 6-3, 6-0 victory against Yuliia Starodubtseva. Meanwhile, Poland’s No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek was scheduled to face Germany’s Eva Lys later in the evening.

Implications for the Tournament’s Progression

Sevastova’s upset over Pegula significantly alters the tournament landscape, eliminating a strong favorite and injecting fresh unpredictability into the competition. Her upcoming match against the formidable Naomi Osaka promises an exciting contest between a determined comeback player and a former Grand Slam champion. As the National Bank Open progresses, fans can expect highly competitive showdowns among top contenders from around the world.