Pegula Rides Another Three Set Win into Charleston Semifinals

By Erik Gudris | Friday, April 3, 2026
Photo credit: Charleston Tennis LLC

Defending Charleston champion Jessica Pegula is relying on her sense of humor to help her reach yet another semifinal at the WTA 500 event.

The top-seeded Pegula managed to outlast No. 7 seed Diana Shnaider 3-6,6-3,6-2 to enter her fourth consecutive semifinal at the Credit One Charleston Open.

Pegula, after the match, talked about relying on her sense of humor in having to play another three set match, her third of the event, to keep her title defense alive.

“It’s the only thing that keeps can me alive,” Pegula said afterwards. “So I think I was a little bit more frustrated today after the first set, because I was just like seriously? I’m going to have to win in three officially now after losing the first set, and it’s the same thing.

“I got all the break points, and I didn’t know if I was going to convert them and all this stuff. So it’s been a little bit of a roller coaster for me. But, yeah, my sense of humor keeps me going, I guess.”

Pegula earlier in the tournament needed three sets to take out both Yulia Putintseva and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

The back-and-forth quarterfinal tussle wasn’t really decided until midway through the final set.

Though Shnaider held a 2-0 early lead, Pegula managed to battle her way back. Pegula found a welcome surge to secure the last six games to book her spot in the final four.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I had any more lives left there for a bit,” Pegula said afterwards on court. “I was getting really frustrated, it was very slow and wet and muggy and I felt like the ball wasn’t going anywhere. I got really mad at myself at the end of the first. I feel like it’s been the same the last few matches. I’ve just been able to hold on to my serve, find some rhythm and serve really well, and then just find ways to break. At the end of the third I started to step in a little bit better and play more aggressive.”

The World No. 5, Pegula, is now 9-1 in three-set matches this year and 18-4 since the US Open. She is also in her fourth semifinal in six events this season.

Pegula awaits the winner of the Iva Jovic and Anna Kalinskaya match this evening.