In a surprising turn of events at Wimbledon, Jessica Pegula, the world’s No. 3 ranked women’s tennis player, faced an early exit from the tournament. Expected to make a deep run, Pegula was eliminated in the first round by Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who is ranked No. 116 in the world. The match concluded with a score of 6-2, 6-3, marking a disappointing start for Pegula.
The match showcased an uncharacteristic performance from Pegula, as she struggled with her serve, managing to land only 52% of her first serves. Although she won 65% of the points on her first serve, her second serve proved problematic, with a win rate of just 42%. Additionally, Pegula recorded 24 unforced errors, which contributed to the swift conclusion of the match, lasting only 58 minutes.
This defeat is a noteworthy moment for Pegula, as it marks her first first-round exit from a Grand Slam tournament since 2020. While she has yet to secure a Grand Slam title, Pegula has consistently performed well in major tournaments, often advancing to the later rounds.
Wimbledon has historically been a challenging event for Pegula, with her winning percentage at the tournament lower than at other Grand Slam events. With this latest loss, her Wimbledon record further declines.
Conversely, Cocciaretto’s victory allows her to progress to the second round for the third time in her career, having previously reached the third round in 2023. She missed the 2024 tournament due to illness but has now made a strong return to the grass courts.
As the tournament continues, Pegula will look to regroup and refocus for future competitions, while Cocciaretto aims to build on her surprising success at this prestigious event.