Jessica Pegula achieved a significant milestone in her tennis career by winning her first clay-court title at the Charleston Open 2025. She defeated Sonia Kenin in a tiring set by 6-3, 7-5. This victory also marks her eighth WTA Tour title and solidifies her status as one of the top-ranked tennis players in the world as she overtakes Coco Gauff to become World Number 3.
The final match showcased Jessica Pegula’s resilience and determination as the match was played under challenging conditions, with strong winds that added to the difficulty. She said in a post-match interview, “I just realized how tired I was. In the second set, I just wanted to hold, I just wanted to tell myself to get momentum for the third because coming into a third like that never feels good.”
Jessica Pegula started strong in the opening set, although Kenin gave her a tough fight. Pegula then regained her momentum, winning four consecutive games to win the first set. Kenin stormed heavily in the second set, leading to a commanding score of 5-1. However, the champion saved herself by further winning three set points to seal the victory at the Charleston Open.
The win showcased her never-give-up mindset as she continued to battle despite being fatigued. She said about her defeating Kenin, “I knew I could break her, but I didn’t know I could break her twice. Luckily I played some good tennis, but I was really tired. I was just thinking like, I gotta fight through this again. The tank was kind of empty, but it almost helped me to focus. I told myself I’m really tired, and it almost helped me to relax, and I started to play a little bit better and serve a little bit better.”
Pegula has won 17 of her last 19 matches and leads the WTA in match wins this season with 25 victories. This was her third final appearance in the last four tournaments, after she won the ATS Open and became the runner-up in the Miami Open. She expressed her gratitude about winning the title and said, “It doesn’t always happen every single week, but when you’re able to do it and take home the title, I think you look back in those moments. Pivotal moments are really important in the match. So happy with what I was able to do this week and turning around matches and sets.”
Also Read: Charleston Open: Top Women’s Tennis Champions from 1973 to 2024
