Pegula Storms into Charleston Open Semifinals as Collins Falters
Pegula Dominates Collins with a Score of 1–6, 6–3, 6–0
In an exhilarating all-American clash at Credit One Stadium, defending champion Danielle Collins, seeded 7, faced off against top seed Jessica Pegula, ranked 4. Pegula, who has reached the semifinals in this event for two consecutive years, was determined to secure her maiden final appearance. Collins had recently peaked at a career ranking of #7 after her triumphs in Miami and Charleston last season but now found herself ranked #22.
Entering this quarterfinal, Pegula from Buffalo, NY, held a pristine record against Collins, leading their encounters 3–0. Though Collins showcased her talent with two clay court titles (Palermo in 2021 and Charleston in 2024), Pegula was still on the hunt for her first title.
Collins, hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, won the coin toss and opted to serve first. She unleashed a stunning crosscourt forehand to begin the match and held her serve comfortably, while Pegula faced early trouble at 0-30 but managed to hold firm. With impressive control, Collins fired three winners, one of which was her first ace of the match, allowing her to consolidate the lead at 2–1.
Despite starting strong with 5 out of 6 first serves, Pegula faced a break point and ultimately lost her serve due to a couple of forehand return winners from Collins. The defending champion, despite a rocky service game of her own (missing 3 out of 6 first serves), managed to maintain her edge, holding for 3–1.
Credit: AFP
Pegula struggled with her first double fault, resulting in another break for Collins. As the 7th seed served for the set, she opened with a double fault but quickly responded with two winners, clinching the set 6–1.
During the second set, Pegula served first but quickly faced double break point, ultimately hitting a poor serve as Collins took charge. Displaying a fierce approach and skillful court presence, Collins maintained her momentum, holding her serve to consolidate the break at 2–0.
Pegula, refusing to lose her composure, managed to hold her serve to get on the scoreboard after trailing by a set and a break. Collins then delivered her second ace; however, as she attempted to regain dominance, she faced multiple break points, eventually dropping her serve after a double fault. It was a stark deviation from her previous level of performance.
Pegula seized this opportunity, breaking back and solidifying her lead with an overhead winner. As Collins appeared to lose focus, making a series of unforced errors, Pegula capitalized, equaling the score at 3–3. Pegula deftly utilized her slice backhand, maintaining her service games effectively.
With the tension rising, Collins committed several unforced errors, including another double fault, which led to her dropping serve. Pegula then served for the set, capitalizing on errors from Collins, finishing it off with a score of 6–3 after Collins let a backhand slip into the net.
As the final set commenced, Collins served first but quickly unraveled, piling on unforced errors, including her fourth double fault, which handed Pegula an early break.
Pegula, the 2025 AXT Open champion, demonstrated great composure, holding serve without difficulty. Meanwhile, Collins continued to spiral out of control, accumulating more double faults and facing multiple break points, ultimately losing serve again with a mishit backhand.
Pegula continued her dominance, hitting 4 out of 6 first serves and holding firm to extend her lead to 4–0. Collins struggled significantly, failing to land her serves, culminating in her seventh double fault and resulting in another service break.
As Pegula approached triple match point, a decisive crosscourt forehand sealed the victory when Collins faltered on a forehand return. It was an unexpectedly abrupt conclusion to a match that had started so strongly for Collins.
In her post-match press conference, Collins expressed, “I think I just got into my own head and wasn’t in a positive mindset today. It ultimately cost me the match.” Following her loss, she is set to drop from the top thirty in the upcoming rankings.
Pegula, reflecting on her ability to adjust and combat Collins’ high-level play, stated, “It doesn’t always happen, but I managed to figure things out just in time. My experience from previous matches really helped boost my confidence, allowing me to turn the match around today.”
Next up, Pegula aims to even the score in their head-to-head battles as she prepares to face ninth seed and 2025 Linz champion Ekaterina Alexandrova for a spot in the finals. Alexandrova, ranked #26 and a former career-high #15, currently leads their encounters 2–1, including a three-set victory in Doha earlier this year.
