Pegula Tops Collins to Reach Charleston Open Semifinals

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Top seed Jessica Pegula advanced to the semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open on Friday, overcoming defending champion Danielle Collins in a dramatic quarterfinal match. After dropping the first set, Pegula rallied back to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-0, showcasing her resilience on the court.

Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, found herself in a tough spot early as Collins jumped to a commanding lead, dominating with powerful strokes and precise placements. Collins’ early performance saw her take the first set decisively and go up 2-0 in the second, putting Pegula on the brink of elimination.

However, Pegula turned the tide in the fourth game of the second set, breaking Collins’ serve after a lengthy battle. “That was really tough,” Pegula admitted after the match. “Obviously she can play well here. She’s the defending champion, and she came out just firing. Luckily, I was able to dig my heels into that second set and play some good tennis.”

Following that pivotal moment, Pegula began to find her rhythm, winning the final nine games of the match. Her strategic mixture of topspin and drop shots left Collins scrambling, ultimately leading to a barrage of unforced errors from the defending champion.

Pegula’s victory means she will next face Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated No. 3 seed Zheng Qinwen of China 6-1, 6-4 in her quarterfinal match. Alexandrova’s win ended Zheng’s impressive 13-match win streak on clay. “It’s going to be a tough match,” Pegula said of facing Alexandrova, who has previously beaten her twice. “But I’m hoping on the clay it will be a different story.”

In the other half of the draw, American Amanda Anisimova also advanced to the semifinals after defeating hometown favorite Emma Navarro in a tight tiebreak, winning 7-5, 7-6 (1). This marks the first time since 2003 that three Americans have reached the semifinals at this tournament, igniting hopes for a national champion.

The semifinals promise a thrilling continuation of the tournament, with Pegula seeking to solidify her status as a top contender in women’s tennis. With an impressive streak this season, including a runner-up performance at the Miami Open, Pegula aims to claim her first title at Charleston after two previous semifinal exits.