Jessica Pegula Stunned in Wimbledon Opener by Italy’s Cocciaretto
Wimbledon 2025 Day 2 delivered a major upset as third seed Jessica Pegula bowed out in the first round, falling 6-2, 6-3 to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto in just 58 minutes on Court No. 2. Fresh off her title-winning run at the Bad Homburg Open, Pegula entered the tournament as a serious contender, but couldn’t carry that momentum into the Grand Slam stage.
This defeat marks Pegula’s earliest exit from a major since 2020 and ends her Wimbledon run before it could begin — a surprising result given her recent form, including a dominant final win over Iga Swiatek to claim her ninth WTA title. Yet on the day, the 31-year-old American managed only five winners against 24 unforced errors.
Cocciaretto, ranked No. 116 and largely considered an underdog, played inspired tennis to claim her first-ever win over a Top 5 player. The 24-year-old Italian became the first woman from her country to beat a Top 3 seed at Wimbledon in the Open Era. Her aggressive play and composure under pressure proved too much for Pegula, especially in the second set where she secured the decisive break after a critical backhand error by the American.
For Pegula, this loss is a stark contrast to her 2024 breakthrough season, where she reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open. Despite consistent results this year — including five finals and a grass-court title — the Grand Slam stage continues to pose challenges. Her defeat also opens up the bottom half of the women’s draw for top names like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Karolina Muchova.
Cocciaretto’s Resurgence
Cocciaretto, who was previously ranked as high as World No. 29, has been rebuilding form. She made it to the Wimbledon third round in 2023 (losing to Pegula), and recently reached the semifinals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. With Tuesday’s performance, she not only avenged her earlier loss but also made a strong case for a deep Wimbledon run in 2025.
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