Anastasija Sevastova delivered a remarkable performance at the National Bank Open in Montreal, orchestrating a stunning upset against the formidable two-time defending champion, Jessica Pegula. This compelling third-round encounter showcased incredible resilience and strategic play, culminating in a memorable victory for the unseeded Latvian in Professional Tennis.

The match, held on Friday, saw Sevastova overcome an early deficit, ultimately securing a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 triumph. A key factor in her success was her exceptional ability to defend break points, saving nine out of thirteen opportunities presented to her opponent, highlighting her clutch performance under pressure at WTA Montreal.

Reflecting on her mid-match resurgence, Anastasija Sevastova expressed surprise at her own turnaround. “Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better,” she stated, underscoring her mental fortitude. Her strategy was clear: “Just trying to stay on the court as long as possible,” a tactic that ultimately wore down her higher-ranked adversary.

Jessica Pegula initially appeared to be in complete control, establishing a commanding lead by winning eight of the first eleven games. However, Sevastova’s unwavering determination saw her seize momentum, winning the subsequent four games consecutively to ignite her comeback and shift the dynamic of the match.

Following her hard-fought victory in the second set, Sevastova briefly faltered by losing the opening game of the decider. Yet, this proved to be a fleeting setback as she then proceeded to dominate the remainder of the third set, overwhelming Pegula with a relentless display of skill and precision to seal the Tennis Upset.

Jessica Pegula described the contest as “a strange match,” acknowledging her initial feeling of complete control before a sudden downturn in her performance. Her candid admission of playing “a couple of terrible games” points to the pressure applied by Sevastova and the unpredictable nature of high-stakes Professional Tennis.

This victory holds significant weight for Anastasija Sevastova, whose career has been impacted by injuries since reaching a career-high ranking of No. 11 in 2018. Entering Friday’s match ranked No. 396, her performance against Pegula at the National Bank Open stands as a testament to her enduring talent and her capacity for significant upsets on the WTA Tour.