WTA Toronto: Jessica Pegula’s Title Defense in Jeopardy as Cruel Fate Makes American’s Life Difficult

The tennis circuit now shifts its focus from the French capital to the Canadian metropolis of Toronto. For Jessica Pegula fans, however, the excitement of the new tournament is tempered by recent challenges. It was only a few days ago when the American player took a disheartening second-round exit at the 2024 Summer Olympics in singles and doubles. But her upcoming WTA Toronto tournament signifies a greater hurdle with a draw that’s tough as nails!

In tennis, even the most seasoned champions can sometimes find themselves navigating treacherous waters, and the new name in this category is the 30-year-old player, Pegula, who will begin her Canadian event of tennis on August 7, Wednesday. While last year she won the tournament, this season it seems to be an uphill climb for her! Will a week of preparation after the Olympics be enough for her to tackle her R32 opponent, Karolina Pliskova? The finalist of the Nottingham Open is coming to the scene after a round-of-32 defeat in the Citi Open. 

But unlike Pegula, the 32-year-old player is probably not going to be stepping into Toronto after a tedious Olympics journey, which can further work as an advantage for the Winners Open victor. But Pegula has hopes too! If one considers their head-to-head count, the World No. 6 player has defeated Pliskova four times, with her opponent claiming a victory against her only once. However, even if she sweeps past her, Pegula, who skipped the Madrid, Italian, and the French Open due to her injuries, will have another formidable opponent, Leylah Fernandez in the next round.

The 21-year-old player, whose Olympic campaign ended in the third round in singles, is ready to take on Pegula and prove her dominance on her home ground! If she wins against the former World No. 3, they will be tied up at 1-1. The stakes are undoubtedly higher for Pegula in Toronto, given her recent Olympic disappointment. However, the Charleston Open semifinalist is determined to capitalize on this opportunity to regain momentum and rectify her inconsistent season. But that’s not all.

The quarterfinals could pit Pegula against either Victoria Azarenka, Peyton Stearns, or Madison Keys, each of whom poses a unique threat. 

Azarenka’s swing volleys, Stearns’ “booming forehand,” and Keys’ aggressive baseliners make them a trio of opponents who could push Pegula to her limits! Although only time will tell how the tournament will turn out for the American star, in 2023, she was hitting with her racquet with immense power! However, she did not find her experience entirely satisfying for one reason.

Pegula opens up about the one regret she had in her Canadian Open final clash last year

Pegula defeated Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff on her way to the finals and seemed well-rested on the main day. But her opponent, Liudmila Samsonova, became the victim of a tight schedule that occurred due to a late finish of her rain-delayed semifinal clash. Within two hours of that match, Samsonova was in the final clash!

Pegula clearly had the upper hand in the entire match and swiftly secured her second WTA 1000 title in the end. Following the match, Pegula regretted the tough scheduling problem that her opponent had to go through.

“It’s tough, it sucks, I feel bad that we weren’t able to play on a more fair playing ground.” The former World No. 3 had full control throughout the match and finished it within 49 minutes. However, showcasing her true sportsmanship spirit, she later added, “She had some amazing, two top-10 wins beating two girls that are some of the best players in the world, top five right now, and wining Grand Slams.”

This year, the tables have turned and Pegula will certainly be in a tight spot in the event. But hopefully, she will sail through all the challenges and establish her power on-court once again!