PARIS — In one of the most shocking upsets of the 2024 French Open, world No. 5 Jessica Pegula was stunned by 361st-ranked qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in a straight-sets defeat that sent shockwaves through Roland Garros. The American, seeded third, fell 6-4, 6-2 to the French wildcard, marking one of the biggest surprises in recent Grand Slam history.
Jeanjean, a 28-year-old who had never before faced a top-10 opponent, delivered a masterclass in aggressive baseline play, dismantling Pegula’s usually reliable game with precision and composure. The loss marked Pegula’s earliest exit at a major since the 2021 Australian Open and raised questions about her form heading into the grass-court season. "I just couldn’t find my rhythm today," Pegula admitted in her post-match press conference.
A Stunning Collapse for Pegula
Pegula, a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, entered the match as a heavy favorite but struggled from the outset. Jeanjean, who had to win three qualifying matches just to make the main draw, capitalized on Pegula’s uncharacteristic errors, breaking her serve four times in the opening set. The American’s usually dominant backhand misfired repeatedly, and her first-serve percentage plummeted to just 48%.
Key factors in Pegula’s defeat included:
- Poor first-serve performance (winning only 52% of points)
- 31 unforced errors, nearly double Jeanjean’s count
- An inability to handle Jeanjean’s heavy topspin forehand
Jeanjean’s Fairytale Run
For Jeanjean, the victory was a career-defining moment. The former college standout at Baylor and Lynn University had never advanced past the second round of a major before this tournament. "I still can’t believe it," she said in an emotional on-court interview. "I just tried to play my game and stay calm, but beating a player like Jessica is something I’ll never forget."
A Remarkable Comeback Story
Jeanjean’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. After stepping away from professional tennis in 2018 due to financial struggles and injuries, she returned in 2022 and slowly climbed back up the rankings. Her ranking of No. 361 made her the lowest-ranked player to defeat a top-5 opponent at Roland Garros since 1983.
Reactions from the Tennis World
The upset sent social media into a frenzy, with fellow players and analysts expressing disbelief. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick tweeted, "This might be the wildest result I’ve seen in years. Huge credit to Jeanjean, but what happened to Pegula?" Meanwhile, Tennis Channel analyst Martina Navratilova noted, "Jessica looked completely out of sorts. This is a wake-up call."
Pegula’s coach, David Witt, acknowledged the performance was concerning. "We’ll have to go back and analyze everything," he told reporters. "She’s been working hard, but today just wasn’t her day."
What’s Next for Both Players?
For Pegula, the loss raises questions about her readiness for Wimbledon, where she has never advanced past the third round. She is expected to play a warm-up event in Eastbourne to regain confidence. Meanwhile, Jeanjean’s reward is a second-round clash against another qualifier, offering a golden opportunity to extend her dream run.
The Frenchwoman’s victory also guarantees her at least €110,000 in prize money—more than she had earned in her entire career before this tournament. "This changes everything for me," she said. "Now I know I belong here."
Conclusion: A Day to Remember
While Pegula’s early exit will dominate headlines, Jeanjean’s triumph is a reminder of the magic of Grand Slam tennis. In a sport where rankings don’t always tell the full story, the French Open once again delivered a moment of pure unpredictability. As one fan put it on Twitter: "This is why we love tennis—anything can happen."