Cresting at closing time, Jessica Pegula continued her Charleston charge.

On a breezy day, a fierce Pegula won five of the final six games fighting off Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to advance to her maiden Credit One Charleston Open final.



It’s the fourth final of the season for Pegula, including her third final in her last four tournaments.

Semifinal sharpshooter Pegula has now won eight consecutive Tour-level semifinals.

“That was a tough match,” Pegula told Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman afterward. “Honestly, it wasn’t the prettiest at times. It was really windy, there were some awkward shots and we were both pretty uncomfortable, at times, on some short balls, some low balls because it was swirling in the wind.

“It was just try not to get frustrated, having to move your feet a lot and just competing.”

A resurgent Sofia Kenin will face world No. 4 Pegula in tomorrow’s all-American final.

It’s the first Charleston all-American final since 1990 when legendary Martina Navratilova defeated the young Jennifer Capriati in a clash of future Hall of Fame champions.

“Well, one American is going to win the final so I think it’s great for American tennis,” Kenin told Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman. I’m excited for the match. I played Jesse in the US Open and lost a close one, but she played well obviously. I’ve got nothing to lose.”

The 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin led Doha champion Amanda Anisimova 5-2 in today’s second semifinal when the eighth-seeded American retired due to an apparent hip or lower back injury.

It is Kenin’s first clay-court final since she was runner-up to Iga Swiatek in the 2020 Roland Garros final, which was played in the autumn due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anisimova, who out-dueled hometown hero Emma Navarro in a grueling match last night, clutched at her back wincing in pain after striking a forehand in the fourth game. Anisimova immediately requested the trainer and took a medical timeout. Though she continued to play on, Anisimova was clearly compromised, looked to be near tears at times and pulled the plug after the seventh game.

“I feel Amanda would come out playing aggressive as she did,” Kenin told Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman. “She was serving well. When she saw the physio, I saw there was something [wrong]…

“It’s never nice to see a fellow American struggling. I tried to keep it as respectful as possible and keep it point by point. It’s unfortunate to happen. I wish her the best of luck and hopefully she can recover.”

In the opening semifinal, Alexandrova and Pegula combined for 13 service breaks.

Down 2-4 in the decider, Pegula got back on serve when Alexandrova double faulted back the break in the seventh game. The American’s backhand down the line, her drop shot and tenacity were essential elements in this comeback.

It is Pegula’s 16th win in her last 18 matches. She will carry a 24-6 record on the season into tomorrow’s final.

Consider the spring surge Pegula has produced. Pegula beat compatriot McCartney Kessler to win Austin last month, prevailed in three physical three-setters to reach her first Miami Open final where she fell to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and has made a seamless surface transition to the green clay in Charleston.

Yesterday, Pegula dethroned defending champion Danielle Collins in three sets and today she showed resilience, rallying from 2-4 down in the final set to topple a tricky Alexandrova, who elevates dynamically on serve.

Contesting her third straight Charleston semifinal, Pegula broke at 15 to open surging to a 5-0 first-set lead.

On her second attempt to serve out the opening set, Pegula posted a love hold to snatch a one-set lead.

The ninth-seeded Alexandrova took a bathroom break and came back refreshed.

Deadlock at 2-all, Alexandrova was cracking her two-handed backhand into the corner to make Pegula defend. Alexandrova converted her fifth break point for a 4-2 lead then laced an ace out wide confirming the break for 5-2.

On her third set point, Alexandrova swept a clean forehand down the line breaking again to force a third set after one hour, 15 minutes of play.

The 30-year-old Alexandrova saved a couple of break points before pounding a crosscourt backhand that helped her hold for 2-1.

Perhaps still ruing that lost opportunity, Pegula double faulted into the net to hand Alexandrova the break and a 3-1 lead.



The US Open finalist broke back in the fifth game. Alexandrova was jumping on the American’s serve and slid a forehand winner down the line scoring her second straight break for 4-2.

The set turned in when Alexandrova double-faulted back the break in the seventh game—one of seven double faults vs. seven aces—and Pegula dipped a drop shot to level at 4-all.

Hammering away at the Alexandrova forehand, Pegula converted her third break point to break for 6-5. One final backhand bolt down the line capped Pegula’s 24th win of the year.