In a shocking turn of events, No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula faced a devastating defeat in the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart tournament on April 19, 2025. The American star, who was aiming for her third consecutive WTA final, was outplayed by the 22nd-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova in a swift and ruthless manner. Pegula struggled right from the start, with Alexandrova dominating the match and securing a commanding 6-0, 6-4 victory in under an hour and a half of intense play.
Alexandrova seized the first seven games, showcasing her powerful game and leaving Pegula seemingly helpless on the court. Despite a brief resurgence where Pegula saved three match points at 5-2 down in the second set and regained a break, she ultimately succumbed to Alexandrova’s superiority, losing her serve for the fifth time in the match.
Alexandrova’s performance was impressive, highlighted by six aces and her remarkable ability to fend off four out of Pegula’s five break point opportunities. The Russian had previously beaten Mirra Andreeva in the earlier round, and she continued her strong form against Pegula.
Pegula, who had a strong run leading up to this match with a runner-up finish in Miami and a title win in Charleston, acknowledged the formidable skills of her opponent. Just two weeks prior, Pegula had defeated Alexandrova in a tough Charleston semifinal, and she anticipated a fierce battle on the court in Stuttgart. Reflecting on their past encounters, Pegula described them as “an absolute war, battle.”
With this unexpected defeat, Pegula’s impressive journey in Stuttgart comes to an abrupt halt. Meanwhile, Alexandrova advances to the semifinals, where she is set to face the winner of the match between Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko. The atmosphere at the Porsche-Arena was electric as fans witnessed the intense battle unfold, and the anticipation for the upcoming semifinals is already building.
In the other quarterfinal results from the Stuttgart WTA 500 tournament, Coco Gauff faced Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka took on Elise Mertens, and Jelena Ostapenko clashed with Iga Swiatek. Each of these matches promises to add to the excitement as the tournament progresses, with players vying for crucial points and prestige.
As the tournament unfolds, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. Fans can expect thrilling matches ahead, especially with Alexandrova’s stunning performance setting the tone for the semifinals. The road to the finals in Stuttgart is wide open, and the remaining competitors are eager to seize their moment on the big stage.
