Pegula triumphs over Kenin with a score of 6-3, 7-5 to claim the Credit One Charleston Open
In an exciting all-American showdown, Jessica Pegula, ranked world #4, faced off against former world #4 and the 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin, at the prestigious Credit One Charleston Open. Pegula advanced to the finals after a riveting three-set match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, while Kenin breezed through when Amanda Anisimova retired with a back injury after just seven games.
Currently sitting at #44 in the rankings, Kenin has witnessed a drastic fall from grace due to health setbacks, surgery, and injuries. Now 26 years old, she is on a path to reclaim her former glory with notable victories in Charleston against in-form players such as Belinda Bencic, 2024 finalist Daria Kasatkina, and 14th seed Anna Kalinskaya.
Hailing from Florida, Kenin is vying for her sixth career title, her first at the WTA 500 level, and her first title since 2020. With an impressive track record of 13 career wins over top ten players, including this season’s victory over then-#4 Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, she is looking to even her head-to-head record against Pegula, whom she trails 2-3.
Pegula’s semifinal win allowed her to surpass world #1 Aryna Sabalenka for the most match wins of the season, now totaling twenty-four. As she seeks her 8th career title, her second at this level and her first on clay, the Buffalo native has already reached four finals this season, including a win at the AXT Open in Austin, Texas, last month. Previously, Pegula defeated Kenin in the second round of the 2024 US Open, paving her way to her inaugural Grand Slam singles final.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Pegula won the toss and chose to receive. In the windy conditions at Credit One Stadium, Kenin started with a double fault and was broken at love. Pegula followed suit with her own double fault but quickly laid down the law with an overhead smash, consolidating the break to lead 2-0.
Kenin struggled with another double fault, facing three deuce calls and two break points, yet held on for 1-2, showcasing four remarkable winners, including a down-the-line forehand on game point. Pegula opened the fourth game with a forehand volley and an explosive backhand down the line for 30-15, but encountered break point and relinquished her serve when Kenin struck back with a powerful backhand.
The 2020 Australian Open champion stumbled with three consecutive unforced errors, including her third double fault, but managed to hold for 3-2 amid accelerating pressure from Pegula. The top seed started the sixth game with a sharp backhand winner and held firmly to level the score at 3-3.
Kenin continued her trend of unforced errors, resulting in a break of serve. Pegula, despite a shaky start serving with new balls and sending three of her first six serves out, consolidated her break to lead 5-3. As Kenin battled to keep the set alive, she made four more mistakes, including a mishit backhand that handed Pegula the set.
Starting the second set, Pegula managed to hit 4/5 first serves, but was broken following two errors and consecutive winners from Kenin. The former champion countered with three solid winners, including her signature backhand drop shot. However, a fourth double fault and a flurry of errors saw her face five deuces and four break points, ultimately surrendering the break.
Pegula stumbled with two unforced errors, encountered a triple break point, and misfired on a forehand to lose her serve, while Kenin managed to hold easily to 3-1. Pegula put in 3/4 first serves and faced triple break point again, ending her service game after two consecutive winners from Kenin.
Kenin, with a stunning forehand inside-in, held easily to solidify her break at 5-1. Pegula, however, struggled to remain in the set, contending with three deuces and three set points, but held her ground with two aces and a spectacular crosscourt forehand half-volley winner.
Kenin served again for the set at 5-2 and earned a lead of 30-15, but three mistakes plus a brilliant forehand from Pegula allowed Pegula to break back. After soaking in the crowd’s applause, the top seed missed all of her first serves yet managed to hold to 15, while Kenin, unable to find her footing, served to take the match to a tiebreaker but succumbed with four straight errors, including a final double fault.
Pegula’s decisive victory arose as Kenin faltered, demonstrating her resilience in challenging conditions. “It was a tough battle with the wind and nerves playing their part,” Pegula commented. “I’m thrilled to walk away with the trophy and the title!”
