Charleston Open: Star-Studded Field Awaits in Classic Clay-Court Tournament

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Credit One Charleston Open is set to commence on March 31, kicking off the Hologic WTA Tour’s clay-court season. This prestigious event, now in its 53rd edition, is the oldest all-women’s professional tennis tournament in the United States and will feature 48 singles players and 16 doubles teams competing for over $1 million in total prize money.

Top players including World No. 4 Jessica Pegula, who leads the draw as the top seed, will be vying for the title on the iconic green clay of Charleston. Main-draw action begins Monday, with finals scheduled for April 6, where both singles and doubles champions will be crowned.

Pegula, who has reached the semifinals of this tournament in the last two years, will face either wild card Heather Watson or a qualifier in her opening match. Defending champion Danielle Collins, seeded seventh, is positioned to meet 2017 runner-up Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 16, should both players advance.

The draw also features Reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen as the No. 3 seed, who will face a formidable challenge in her second-round match against either former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari or rising star Marina Stakusic. Other notable players in the field include Emma Navarro, rising to the occasion with a No. 4 seed, and former champion Madison Keys, seeded second.

The tournament offers significant ranking points and prize money at each round, with the champion earning 500 points and $164,000. The runner-up will receive 325 points and $101,000, while semifinalists and quarterfinalists also benefit from the escalated payouts.

Fans can look forward to the tournament’s main-draw ceremony on March 29 at 3 p.m., followed by the qualifying rounds that take place on March 29 and 30. All matches will be played in Eastern Daylight Time.

The clay season is particularly important for many of these players as they set their sights on the prestigious French Open. Key opponents will clash in the Lowcountry as they gear up for what could prove to be a pivotal tournament leading up to Roland Garros.