American tennis player Jessica Pegula was bounced by Kimberly Birrell in the first round of the 2026 French Open.
Pegula was the fifth seed in the women’s singles draw, while Birrell was unranked. Birrell won the match 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
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Pegula, 32, was playing in his ninth French Open. This is the third time she has been eliminated in the first round.
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Pegula’s best result at Roland Garros was in 2022, when he reached the quarterfinals. That year, she won the tournament, losing to Iga Świętek in straight sets.
Pegula has recently gained momentum in the Grand Slams. She reached the semifinals of the 2025 US Open, which ended last year, and the 2026 Australian Open, which begins this year.
At the US Open, Pegula lost to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. The trend continued, though she lost to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open semifinals, and Ryvalenka defeated Sabalenka in the final.
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Birel will face Ukraine’s Oleksandra Olnikova in the second round. Olnikova defeated Elena Pridankina 6-1, 6-2 in the first round.
Pegula will focus on preparing for Wimbledon, which begins in late June.
