LONDON — Third-seeded Jessica Pegula was surprisingly knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday, suffering a 6-2, 6-3 defeat to 116th-ranked Elisabetta Cocciaretto. This loss marks Pegula’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam in five years.
A Surprising Setback for Pegula
Pegula, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, entered the All England Club with strong momentum after winning the Bad Homburg Open in Germany just days earlier.
She had defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets to claim the title. However, Pegula’s performance at Wimbledon was far from what was expected, as she was unable to build on her recent success.
This early exit is her first first-round loss at a major tournament since the French Open in 2020.
Cocciaretto’s Breakthrough Performance
Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ranked No. 116, played aggressively throughout the match, focusing on taking risks and not getting caught up in the outcome of each point. The 24-year-old Italian was thrilled with her performance, especially since it marked her first career victory over a top-5 player.
“I played a really great champion. She’s an unbelievable player, she’s a great example for all of us,” Cocciaretto said after her career-defining victory.
Pegula’s Struggles on Court
Despite her high ranking, Pegula struggled in the match, managing only five winners and making 24 unforced errors. Her inconsistency on the grass court led to her second first-round exit at Wimbledon, with her only other early loss coming in her debut appearance in 2019.
Pegula’s Strong Year Continues
Although this defeat marks a disappointing setback at Wimbledon, Pegula has had a strong year overall. She has reached five singles finals in 2023, which is second only to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who has reached seven finals.
