Jessie Pegula Advances to COCO Quarterfinals After Hard-Fought Victory

The reigning champion overcame a tough challenge from Elisabetta Cocciaretto to reach the quarterfinals of the Credit One Charleston Open.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:38pm

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A vibrant, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the raw energy and competitive spirit of a women's tennis match, with the players' forms dissolving into abstract brushstrokes.An explosive, energetic illustration captures the intensity and drama of a hard-fought women's tennis match at the Credit One Charleston Open.Charleston Today

The Credit One Charleston Open's top seed and reigning champion Jessie Pegula squeaked out a 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round of the tournament on Thursday. Pegula, who had the longest win of her career just a day earlier, went the distance once again, showcasing her championship pedigree when winning time approached.

Why it matters

Pegula's victory over Cocciaretto sets up a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup against 21-year-old WTA No. 19 Diana Shnaider, who has yet to drop a single set in the tournament. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for the overall tournament standings and Pegula's quest to defend her title.

The details

Pegula, the No. 5 seed and reigning champion of the Credit One Charleston Open, faced a tough challenge from Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round of the tournament. After dropping the first set 1-6, Pegula bounced back to win the second set 6-1 and force a decisive third set. In the tiebreaker, Pegula's experience and championship pedigree shone through as she emerged victorious with a 7-6 win.

  • The match took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • Pegula had just won the longest match of her career the day prior to this third-round victory.

The players

Jessie Pegula

The No. 5 seed and reigning champion of the Credit One Charleston Open, Pegula is a seasoned professional tennis player known for her tenacity and ability to grind out tough victories.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

An up-and-coming Italian tennis player who gave the tournament's top seed a tough challenge in the third round of the Credit One Charleston Open.

Diana Shnaider

The 21-year-old WTA No. 19-ranked singles player who has not dropped a single set in the Credit One Charleston Open and will face Pegula in the quarterfinals.

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What they’re saying

“Just a day after the longest win of her career, Pegula went the distance once again, and her championship pedigree shined when winning time approached.”

— ABC NEWS 4 STAFF, Reporter

What’s next

The quarterfinals of the Credit One Charleston Open will kick off on Friday, April 3, 2026, with Jessie Pegula set to face off against Diana Shnaider.

The takeaway

Jessie Pegula's hard-fought victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto showcases the defending champion's resilience and ability to grind out tough matches, setting the stage for an intriguing quarterfinal clash against the rising star Diana Shnaider.