Jessica Pegula became the highest-seeded women’s player to lose at Wimbledon, as the No. 5-seeded American was defeated by Wang Xinyu 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-1 in the second round Thursday.
Wang recorded 38 winners, which combined with 33 unforced errors from Pegula secured the victory and a third-round matchup against Harriet Dart, who beat fellow Briton Katie Boulter in a tense three-set thriller.
For Wang, world No. 42, the victory was her first over a top-10 player.
“Couple of days ago I was asking my coach when will this happen,” Wang said. “Jessica was really tough to play on grass. Her ball was super low, and I’m just really happy I won in the end.”
For Pegula, the loss ruined high hopes of improving on last year’s quarterfinal finish and at least reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal. She had won her first grass-court title in Berlin in the leadup to Wimbledon but joined No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka, who pulled out before the first round because of a shoulder injury, on the sideline.
Britain’s big day got off to a rough start when wild-card entry Yuriko Lily Miyazaki won only 19 points en route to a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Daria Kasatkina. It was the first so-called “double-bagel” at Wimbledon this year.
The 28-year-old Miyazaki committed 31 unforced errors and five double-faults in falling to the No. 14-seeded Kasatkina, a Russian who won the Eastbourne title ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam.
Kasatkina will next face Paula Badosa, who advanced Thursday by beating Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2.
No. 12 Madison Keys marked U.S. Independence Day with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Wang Yafan to reach the third round.
“I’ve always really loved playing during the Fourth of July. I think I’ve spent more Fourths of Julys in London than anywhere else in the world,” the 29-year-old American said. “It’s always fun, and it’s definitely an experience. Like today walking by I saw a bunch of Americans, and they all said, ‘Happy Fourth.'”
Two-time Wimbledon finalist and No. 10 Ons Jabeur advanced to the third round after a 6-1, 7-5 victory over American teenager Robin Montgomery. Russian 17th seed Anna Kalinskaya comfortably beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-1, and Ukrainian 18th seed Marta Kostyuk produced a fine comeback to beat Australian Daria Saville 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
