American tennis sensation Jessica Pegula faced a jaw-dropping defeat at Wimbledon, sending shockwaves through the tournament. Pegula, seeded No. 5, suffered an astonishing loss to Wang Xinyu in a thrilling second-round match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The unexpected outcome saw Pegula, who was a strong contender, fall to Xinyu in a hard-fought battle that ended 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-1. This surprising result marked Pegula as the highest seed to exit the tournament at this stage, leaving spectators stunned by the turn of events.
Xinyu, a 22-year-old rising star ranked No. 42, made history by securing her first victory over a top-10 player. Notably, she became the first Chinese player in over a decade to defeat a top-five opponent since Zheng Jie's triumph over Ana Ivanovic in 2008.
Reflecting on her remarkable win, Xinyu shared, "A couple of days ago, I was asking my coach when this would happen. Jessica was a tough opponent on grass, but I'm thrilled to come out on top in the end."
Pegula, aged 30, had high hopes of building on her quarterfinal finish from the previous year's Wimbledon, aiming for her first Grand Slam semifinal. Her recent victory at the Ladies Open in Berlin, her maiden grass-court title, had further fueled expectations for a strong showing at the prestigious tournament.
Xinyu Wang records her first ever Top-10 win!
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
The 22-year-old has taken down No.5 seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7(9), 6-1#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/lQ1TFVOde4
Looking ahead, Xinyu is set to face Harriet Dart in the third round after Dart clinched a hard-fought victory over British player Katie Boulter. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both players vie for a coveted spot in the next stage of the competition.
While Pegula's defeat was a major upset, there were bright spots for American players at Wimbledon. No. 12 seed Madison Keys delivered a commanding performance, securing a straight-set win over Wang Yafan to advance to the next round where she will face Marta Kostyuk.
On the men's side, No. 14 seed Ben Shelton battled through a grueling five-set match against Lloyd Harris, emerging victorious after a marathon contest that lasted over three hours. Shelton's resilience sets up an exciting clash with Denis Shapovalov in the upcoming round, promising fans more thrilling tennis action.
As Wimbledon continues to unfold with surprises and standout performances, the stage is set for more thrilling encounters and unexpected outcomes. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon!
