Jessica Pegula Battles Through Marathons to Reach Charleston Open Quarterfinals

Top seed and defending champion Jessica Pegula is proving that grit is just as important as skill in her quest to retain the title at the Credit One Charleston Open. While her path to the quarterfinals has been far from straightforward, Pegula’s ability to survive high-pressure situations has kept her title defense alive.

A Grueling Start to the Clay Court Season

Pegula’s introduction to the clay courts this year began with a physical and mental test. On Wednesday, she faced Yulia Putintseva in a match that became the longest of her professional career. After three hours and 10 minutes of intense play, Pegula secured a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory to advance to the third round.

Reflecting on the marathon encounter, Pegula acknowledged the difficulty of the surface and her opponent’s style, noting that Putintseva is “somewhat of a clay courter.” Despite the exhaustion, the win set the stage for another high-stakes battle.

Escaping the Brink Against Cocciaretto

The drama continued on Thursday in the third round, where Pegula faced the 14th seed, Elisabetta Cocciaretto. For much of the match, it appeared the defending champion might be ousted. After dropping the first set 1-6, Pegula fought back to take the second 6-1, leading to a tense final set.

Pegula found herself trailing 4-1 in the third set and was just two points away from defeat at 5-4. However, she demonstrated remarkable resilience, reeling off 11 of the final 12 points to win the set 7-6(1). The final score of 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(1) marked her eighth win in nine three-set matches this year, extending her streak to 10 consecutive quarterfinals on the WTA Tour.

The ‘Outlier’ Strategy: How Pegula Wins

Unlike many of the current top-ranked players who rely on overwhelming power, Pegula describes herself as an “outlier.” In a tour dominated by “powerballers,” Pegula employs a balanced game centered on intelligence and precision.

Pegula’s approach focuses on:

• Redirecting Power: Rather than trying to out-hit opponents, she uses their pace against them.
• Early Ball Striking: She takes the ball early to maintain an aggressive position.
• Mental Fortitude: Her recent statistics highlight a mastery of the “clutch” moment, boasting a 17-4 record in three-set matches since the US Open.

Tournament Outlook and Key Developments

While Pegula navigates her way through the bracket, other notable shifts have occurred in the tournament. Madison Keys has moved forward efficiently, needing only 1 hour and 15 minutes to defeat Donna Vekic in straight sets. Keys is scheduled to face Anna Bondar in the third round.

The draw has also opened up following the withdrawal of the second seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova, who pulled out before her first match due to a back injury.

Key Takeaways: Jessica Pegula’s 2026 Form

Pegula’s ability to hold her nerve in the third set has become her trademark this season. As she moves deeper into the Charleston Open, her capacity to endure long matches will be critical in determining if she can successfully defend her crown on the clay.