Pegula rallies to defeat Cocciaretto in Charleston Open thriller

Top seed Jessica Pegula overcomes slow start to advance to quarterfinals

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the intense back-and-forth of a tennis match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the players' movements and the drama of the competition.Pegula's grit and determination shine through in a hard-fought victory over Cocciaretto at the Charleston Open.Charleston Today

Jessica Pegula, the top seed at the 2026 Charleston Open, faced an unexpected challenge from 14th-seeded Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round. After dropping the first set 6-1, Pegula battled back to take the second set 6-1 and force a decisive third set. Despite struggling with her form at times, Pegula regained her composure and edged Cocciaretto in a tight tiebreaker to secure the victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

Why it matters

Pegula, the defending Charleston Open champion, was expected to cruise through the early rounds, but Cocciaretto's strong play pushed the top seed to the brink. Pegula's ability to overcome the adversity and grind out the win demonstrates her mental toughness and resilience, which will be crucial as she continues her quest to defend her title.

The details

Cocciaretto, the 14th seed, came out firing in the opening set, overwhelming Pegula with her aggressive play and forcing the American into a series of unforced errors. However, Pegula regrouped in the second set, using her superior shot-making and returning skills to turn the match around. The third set was a tightly contested affair, with both players trading holds until Pegula prevailed in the tiebreaker to clinch the victory.

  • Pegula defeated Yulia Putintseva in her first match at the 2026 Charleston Open.
  • Pegula and Cocciaretto faced off in the third round of the tournament on April 2, 2026.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The top seed and defending champion of the 2026 Charleston Open, Pegula is a rising star on the WTA Tour with a powerful all-around game and a reputation for mental toughness.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

The 14th-seeded Italian player, Cocciaretto is a talented up-and-coming player on the WTA Tour who pushed Pegula to the brink in their third-round matchup.

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What they’re saying

“Jessica Pegula didn't look like herself at times, but she found a way to win. That's what champions do.”

— John McEnroe, Tennis analyst

What’s next

Pegula will face Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Charleston Open. Shnaider, who is playing well this season, will look to upset the defending champion and advance to the semifinals.

The takeaway

Jessica Pegula's ability to grind out a victory against a tough opponent like Elisabetta Cocciaretto, even when she wasn't at her best, demonstrates the mental fortitude that has made her one of the top players on the WTA Tour. Her resilience will be crucial as she continues her title defense in Charleston.