The Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare unfolded on July 1, 2025, as Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto stunned Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed, by dominating the first set 6-2 in just 25 minutes on Court No. 2.
This early upset threat in the Wimbledon 2025 first round signaled vulnerability for Pegula, fresh off a Bad Homburg title, and sparked buzz about a potential early exit for the American star.
Cocciaretto’s Dominant First Set
The Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare began with Cocciaretto, ranked No. 116, leveraging her 5-2 grass record in 2025 to outplay Pegula.
The Italian’s 65.3% service games won and aggressive baseline game overwhelmed Pegula, who struggled with unforced errors (The Athletic).
Cocciaretto’s 30 aces in 21 matches this season set the tone, breaking Pegula twice in the first set (Telecom Asia). Despite their 2023 Wimbledon clash ending in a 6-4, 6-0 Pegula rout, Cocciaretto showed no fear this time.
Cocciaretto said, “Grass suits my game, and I’m ready to fight” (EssentiallySports). Pegula, reflecting on her form, noted, “I need to stay sharp to go deep here” (BBC Sport).
Key Match and Player Stats
- First Set: Cocciaretto won 6-2, with 2 breaks and 80% first-serve points won.
- Pegula’s 2025 Form: 35-12 record, titles in Austin, Charleston, Bad Homburg (Sportskeeda).
- Cocciaretto’s Grass Run: 5-2 in 2025, Libema Open semifinal (The Playoffs).
- Head-to-Head: Pegula leads 1-0, winning 6-4, 6-0 in the 2023 Wimbledon third round.
Expert Insight: Grass-Court Drama
As a tennis analyst, I view the Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare as a reminder of grass’s unpredictability.
Cocciaretto’s 11-6 career grass record and recent Libema Open semifinal run highlight her upset potential, especially against Pegula’s occasional slow starts, as seen in her 2024 Wimbledon second-round loss to Xinyu Wang (Tennis Tonic).
Pegula’s 33-22 grass record and Bad Homburg title make her a favorite, but her 91.67% implied win probability (Sports Illustrated) faces pressure if Cocciaretto sustains her aggression.
Greg Butyn of Dimers said, “Pegula’s 87% win probability holds, but Cocciaretto’s form suggests a tight match” (Dimers). X posts echoed this, with one fan noting, “Cocciaretto’s serving like she’s got nothing to lose!” (@ml_previews).
Challenges and Stakes
The Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare puts Pegula’s title aspirations at risk. Her 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinal run and three 2025 titles across surfaces position her as a contender, but an early loss could dent her momentum (The Playoffs).
Cocciaretto, with a 14-17 season record, aims to replicate her 2023 Lausanne title run and break into the top 50 (EssentiallySports).
Her knee injury recovery from 2021 adds resilience to her game, but facing Pegula’s 60% grass win rate tests her endurance (SportyTrader).
Pegula’s baseline dominance and recent win over Iga Swiatek (BBC Sport) contrast with Cocciaretto’s 5-2 grass record in 2025, setting up a battle of consistency versus momentum.
The Guardian reported Pegula’s first-set struggles, noting her being “dominated” (The Athletic).
Impact on Wimbledon 2025
The Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare aligns with Day 1 upsets, like Sonay Kartal defeating Jelena Ostapenko (CBS Sports).
A Cocciaretto upset would shake the women’s draw, potentially opening paths for players like Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff (Tennis Tonic).
Pegula’s recovery is critical, with a projected tough draw including Tatjana Maria or Karolina Muchova (Tennis Tonic).
X sentiment favors Pegula’s comeback, with 70% predicting a straight-sets win (@britwatchsports).
Final Thoughts: A Wimbledon Wake-Up Call
The Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare has ignited early drama at SW19, with Cocciaretto’s bold first set challenging Pegula’s title hopes.
Whether Pegula leverages her No. 3 ranking to rally or Cocciaretto pulls off a historic upset, this match epitomizes Wimbledon’s unpredictability.
Comment your thoughts below on who will survive the Pegula Cocciaretto Wimbledon scare.
Taking the lead ⏩
— wta (@WTA) July 1, 2025
Elisabetta Cocciaretto grabs the opening set over Pegula, 6-2.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/UAVYqNjsCP
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