Jessica Pegula's rough stretch continues after the world No. 4 exited the Cincinnati Open early following a surprise 6-7 (5) 6-3 3-6 loss to 40th-ranked Magda Linette.
Going into Cincinnati - where she made the final last year - the American tennis star had been 1-3 since Wimbledon. However, in her opening Cincy match after a first-round bye, the home star delivered a good performance and routed Kimberley Birrell 6-4 6-3.
On Tuesday, Pegula and Linette made a sloppy start to their third-round match as three breaks on each side were seen, before the Pole won the opener via a tie-break.
The second set was twice interrupted due to rain and thunderstorms but the fourth-seeded American managed to snatch it before the match was suspended for the day and pushed to Wednesday.
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When the action resumed today, Pegula had an early chance to open a lead but she missed out on two consecutive break points, and also failed to convert another break point in the seventh game. The home player paid the ultimate price for not converting her chances as Linette claimed the first break of the decider in the eighth game before routinely serving out for the match in the following game.
Pegula called her tennis 'sloppy' in Montreal
In the Montreal third round, the American was up by a set and a break against world No. 269 Anastasija Sevastova. Still, she lost the match after the Latvian came back to win 3-6 6-4 6-1. Afterward, the 2024 US Open runner-up kept it straight honest about her recent form.
It hasnt been great, to be honest. I dont really feel like Im playing great tennis. At times I am, but I feel very up and down, kind of sloppy, which I dont like. It really bothers me," Pegula said after her Montreal exit.
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Pegula is set to drop a significant number of points after losing in the Cincinnati third round. If the American fails to do well at the US Open, she will lose another good chunk of points and likely drop in the rankings.
