Pegula dispatches Kenin 6-3, 7-5 to win Credit One Charleston Open

In an all-American duel, Jessica Pegula the world #4 took on former world #4 and 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin at the Credit One Charleston Open. In the semifinals, Pegula outlasted Ekaterina Alexandrova in a three-set thriller while Kenin played just seven games before Amanda Anisimova retired with an injured back.

Kenin is currently ranked #44 – a precipitous drop from the top of the game following illness, surgery, and injury. The twenty-six-year-old has continued her resurgence with statement wins in Charleston against the in-form Belinda Bencic, 2024 finalist Daria Kasatkina and 14th seed, Anna Kalinskaya.

The Florida resident is seeking her sixth career title, first at the WTA 500 level and first since 2020. With 13 career wins over top ten players including then #4 Jasmine Paolini in Dubai this season, she trailed Pegula 2-3 in the head-to-head.

With her semifinal victory, Pegula surpassed world #1 Aryna Sabalenka with the most match wins this season at twenty-four. In search of her 8th career title, second at this level and first on clay, the Buffalo native has reached four finals this season, winning the AXT Open in Austin, Texas last month. Her most recent defeat of Kenin took place in the second round of the 2024 US Open en route to her first-ever grand slam singles final.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Pegula won the toss and chose to receive. In windy conditions on Credit One Stadium Kenin opened with a double fault and was broken at love. Pegula donated her first double fault but with an overhead smash, consolidated the break for 2-0.

Kenin gifted another double fault, faced three deuce and two break points but held for 1-2 with four outstanding winners including a forehand down the line on game point. Pegula opened the fourth with a forehand crosscourt volley and a blistering backhand down the line for 30-15, but faced break point and dropped serve when Kenin ripped a backhand down the line.

The 2020 Australian Open champion committed three consecutive unforced errors including her third double fault and faced triple break point but with four extraordinary winners held for 3-2. Pegula opened the sixth with a crisp crosscourt backhand winner and held easily to 15 to level.

Kenin donated four unforced errors two off each side and dropped serve. The top seed serving with new balls missed 3/6 first serves including a double fault but consolidated the break to lead 5-3. Kenin serving to stay in the set gifted four additional errors, the last a mishit backhand to concede it.

Pegula served first in the second, and though she made 4/5 first serves, she was broken following two errors and two consecutive winners from her opponent. Kenin struck three winners, including her signature backhand drop shot, but with her fourth double fault and a slew of errors, she faced five deuces, four break points, and gave back the break.

Pegula donated two unforced errors, faced a triple break point, and whiffed a forehand to dump serve while Kenin made 3/5 first serves and held easily to 15 to consolidate the break for 3-1.  

Pegula made 3/4 first serves but faced triple break point and dumped serve following two winners from Kenin and two backhand unforced errors. Kenin with an incredible inside-in forehand held easily to 15 to consolidate the break for 5-1. Pegula serving to stay in the set faced three deuce and three set points but held with two aces out wide and a crosscourt forehand half-volley winner!

Kenin served for the set up 5-2 and reached 30-15 but three unforced errors and a winning forehand from Pegula cost her the game. The #1 seed soaking in the cheers and applause from the boisterous crowd, missed 5/5 first serves yet managed to hold to 15 to consolidate the break.

Kenin once again served for the set at 5-4 and though she hit two consecutive winners including an ace up the tee, gifted another double fault and dropped serve when Pegula pummeled a backhand return down the line. Pegula made 3/4 first serves including an ace out wide and held to love for 6-5.  

The former world #4 served to force the breaker but conceded the match with four consecutive errors including a final double fault. It was a calamitous ending to a match destined for a deciding set. Pegula pounced as Kenin crumbled.

According to Pegula, “Again really tough conditions with the wind and everything. So, I mean, it was a little streaky, I feel like, from both of us at times, but that’s how it’s going to be when it’s tough conditions and you’re in a final and there’s a lot of nerves and stuff like that. So happy to come away with the trophy and the title.”