DC Open Drama: Fernandez Upsets Pegula, Raducanu's Resurgence

If you've been following the Mubadala Citi DC Open, you know it's been anything but predictable. The tournament has been electric, with major upsets shaking up the draw. Just a day after the second seed was sent packing, the top seed and world No. 4, Jessica Pegula, made a surprising early exit at the hands of a resurgent Leylah Fernandez. It’s a huge result that’s sending ripples through the tournament and setting up some fascinating storylines as we head toward the US Open.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Leylah Fernandez scored a huge upset, defeating world No. 4 and top seed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
• ✓ This was Fernandez's second Top 5 victory since her incredible run to the 2021 US Open final.
• ✓ Emma Raducanu is also on a tear, reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles after beating Naomi Osaka.
• ✓ For the first time since that 2021 US Open, both Fernandez and Raducanu reached the quarterfinals of the same hard-court event.
• ✓ Fernandez will now face her former doubles partner, Taylor Townsend, in the quarterfinals.

A Rollercoaster Match and a Crucial Mindset Shift

The match between Fernandez and Pegula was a classic three-set battle full of momentum swings. Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian lefty, came out sharp, taking the first set 6-3. But Pegula, who won her very first WTA title right here in Washington back in 2019, wasn't going down without a fight. She completely dominated the second set, winning it 6-1, and it felt like all the momentum was on her side heading into the decider.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Fernandez could have crumbled, especially after getting broken early in the third set. But she didn't. She later revealed the simple yet powerful advice she got from her coach, who is also her dad. It wasn't about tactics or technique. It was all about getting her head right. As Fernandez put it, her coach told her "to stay positive, to think of something positive, to switch the mentality." And boy, did it work.

She battled back, and the match ended when a forehand from Pegula caught the net, giving Fernandez a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory. Fernandez gave Pegula a lot of credit, describing her opponent's approach in the second set perfectly: "She was, like, a dog and a bone, I would say. I mean, it’s sports, so she saw an opening, she went for it." That gritty win marks Fernandez's first over Pegula in three tries and her biggest victory since beating Elena Rybakina in 2024.

💡 What's Interesting: During a crucial moment in the third set, Leylah Fernandez's coach didn't offer tactical advice. Instead, he told her to "let a couple ones go... change my mentality into a more positive mindset." This mental reset proved to be the key to her stunning upset victory.

A Tale of Two Finalists: The Raducanu Parallel

You can't talk about Leylah Fernandez's career without mentioning Emma Raducanu. Their careers have been intertwined ever since their incredible, all-teen final at the 2021 US Open. In a wild twist of fate, as Fernandez is making waves in D.C., so is Raducanu. In fact, this tournament marks the very first time since that famous final that both players have reached the quarterfinals of the same hard-court event. It’s a fantastic milestone for both.

Raducanu has been on an absolute tear, continuing her summer surge with a high-quality win against fellow Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in their first-ever meeting. She's not just winning in singles, either—she's also into the semifinals in doubles, calling it a "big benchmark" for her progress. It's clear that both of these young stars, who have admittedly struggled with the immense pressure following their 2021 success, are finding their groove again here in Washington.

While Fernandez has three WTA titles to her name, neither has managed to replicate that fairytale Grand Slam run. But seeing them both snag major scalps and advance deep into a tournament simultaneously feels like a return to form and a really positive sign for what's to come. Their parallel journeys continue to be one of the most compelling stories in tennis.

Looking Ahead: A Quarterfinal Clash of Southpaws

So, what’s next for Fernandez after this massive win? Her reward is a quarterfinal matchup against another American, her former doubles partner and fellow lefty, Taylor Townsend. And Townsend is on an absolute heater. The qualifier blitzed sixth-seeded Sofia Kenin with a stunning 6-3, 6-0 scoreline, firing an unbelievable 17 aces in the process. She is playing with a ton of confidence.

According to the oddsmakers, Fernandez is the favorite to win, with moneyline odds around -190, giving her an implied 65.5% chance of victory. Townsend is the underdog at +145. But looking at their hard-court stats this year, it’s a closer story. Townsend actually has a slightly better service game winning percentage on hard courts (71.8% to Fernandez's 68.4%), while Fernandez has the edge in return games won (34.5% to Townsend's 28.9%). It’s shaping up to be a fascinating tactical battle between two players who know each other well.

The Bigger Picture for Pegula and D.C.

For Jessica Pegula, this loss is a tough pill to swallow. It's her second consecutive early exit after falling in the first round of Wimbledon. More importantly, she's now heading into a crucial part of the season where she has a mountain of ranking points to defend. Her incredible 15-2 run last summer, which included a title in Toronto and runner-up finishes in Cincinnati and the US Open, accounts for a whopping 45.9% of her current ranking points. The pressure is definitely on.

Beyond this headline match, the DC Open has been buzzing with other stories. The legendary Venus Williams made a celebrated return to her "Queen's Court," though her comeback ended in the second round. We also saw Daniil Medvedev taking the court after a post-Wimbledon reset, and Maria Sakkari gaining momentum at what she calls her "home tournament." It's been a week of drama, comebacks, and upsets, making it the perfect start to the North American hard-court swing.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that the DC Open has delivered on every level, reminding us why we love this sport. Leylah Fernandez's victory over Jessica Pegula wasn't just an upset; it was a masterclass in mental toughness and a sign that she's ready to compete with the very best again. Paired with Emma Raducanu's simultaneous success, it feels like two of the sport's brightest young stars are truly back in the mix. As the tournament heads into its final stages, with a can't-miss quarterfinal between Fernandez and Townsend, the excitement is only building for the rest of the US Open Series.