Wimbledon 2025 wasted no time producing drama, as several top American hopes were eliminated in a brutal first round that rewrote expectations for the rest of the tournament. The biggest headline was Jessica Pegula’s 2–6, 3–6 loss to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto — a result even more astonishing than Coco Gauff’s shock exit. Pegula had just claimed the Bad Homburg Open title days before and looked poised to make a deep run on grass.
Meanwhile, Gauff was stopped cold by Dayana Yastremska, who overpowered the World No. 3 in straight sets, 7–6, 6–1. Adding to the American woes, Madison Keys fell in three sets to Elena-Gabriela Ruse, while other U.S. contenders like Amanda Anisimova, Danielle Collins, and Emma Navarro did make it through.
Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina Start Strong
Unlike their American rivals, the top European seeds cruised into the second round. Iga Swiatek defeated Veronika Kudermetova 7–5, 6–1 in a controlled performance, winning 78% of her first-serve points and converting all three break points. Aryna Sabalenka faced a late push from Canadian teen Carson Branstine but held firm to win 6–1, 7–5.
Elena Rybakina, one of Martina Navratilova’s pre-tournament dark horses, dismantled Elina Avanesyan 6–2, 6–1 in just over an hour, boasting a dominance ratio of 1.53 and breaking serve five times.
Ruthless Stats: Anisimova’s Double Bagel
Perhaps the most lopsided match of the round belonged to Amanda Anisimova, who demolished Yulia Putintseva 6–0, 6–0 in just 45 minutes. The American won 86% of her first-serve points and 100% of her return games. With a total dominance ratio of 3.25, it was one of the most clinical performances of the tournament so far.
Katerina Siniakova also impressed, outlasting Zheng Qinwen in a 2h25 battle, 7–5, 4–6, 6–1. Siniakova saved key break points and dominated at the net, winning 85% of her net points to outplay her higher-ranked opponent.
British and Local Favorites March On
Emma Raducanu pleased the home crowd with a confident 6–3, 6–3 victory over wildcard Xu, while Heather Watson won her opener. Harriet Dart pushed Dalma Galfi to the brink before losing in three sets, while qualifier Sonay Kartal stunned Jelena Ostapenko 7–5, 2–6, 6–2 in one of the most unpredictable matches of the round.
Other Highlights and Emerging Names
Jasmine Paolini recovered from a first-set loss to oust veteran Anastasija Sevastova 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, showing impressive composure in clutch moments. Marketa Vondrousova, fresh off a finalist run in Berlin, avoided an upset against McCartney Kessler, winning 6–1, 7–6.
Meanwhile, unheralded players like Bouzas Maneiro, Todoni, and Volynets made headlines with gutsy performances. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova came back from a set down to beat Ajla Tomljanovic 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, adding her name to the list of early survivors in a turbulent first round.
What’s Next?
With the Americans reeling, all eyes now shift to Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina to bring stability at the top. But if Wimbledon’s opening round has proven anything, it’s that no favorite is safe — and the grass can flip scripts faster than any other surface on tour.
More match-by-match breakdowns and second-round analysis to follow on tennis-wta.com.