Pegula Survives Another Three-Set Battle to Reach Charleston Quarterfinals

Defending champion Jessica Pegula overcomes slow start to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto and set up clash with Diana Shnaider.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competitive energy of a tennis match, with the players' forms abstracted into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.Pegula's grit and determination to defend her Charleston title is on full display in this cubist-inspired illustration of her hard-fought three-set victory.Charleston Today

Defending champion Jessica Pegula needed three sets to defeat Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(1) and advance to the quarterfinals of the Credit One Charleston Open. Pegula struggled with her serve early on but was able to turn things around in the second set before battling through a tight third set tiebreaker. The win sets up a quarterfinal matchup with Diana Shnaider, who earlier defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets.

Why it matters

Pegula's ability to grind out tough three-set victories demonstrates her mental toughness and determination to defend her Charleston title. The tournament is an important clay court warm-up event ahead of the French Open, and Pegula's progress will be closely watched as she aims to build momentum for the upcoming Grand Slam.

The details

Pegula was blown away in the first set, winning just 25% of her first serve points. But she regrouped in the second set, improving her serve and finding better patterns to put pressure on Cocciaretto's serve. The third set was a back-and-forth battle, with Cocciaretto surging ahead 3-0 and 4-1 before Pegula fought back to take six of the final eight games and win the tiebreaker 7-1.

  • The match lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes.
  • Pegula needed 3 hours and 10 minutes to defeat Yulia Putintseva in the previous round on Wednesday.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The defending champion at the Credit One Charleston Open and a top-10 player on the WTA Tour.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

A rising Italian player who was looking to upset the defending champion.

Diana Shnaider

Pegula's quarterfinal opponent, who defeated Leylah Fernandez earlier in the day.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's tough getting used to clay. There were a couple tough games where I felt like I could have won the game, and the next thing I know, the set just kind of flipped, and I just saw a stat that I had won like 25 percent on my first serve, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's horrible.' So I was just focused on making that stuff better. And then I started serving really well. And then I started getting into return games, putting pressure on her serve, and then finding some patterns that kind of work—just finding my footing.”

— Jessica Pegula, Player

“She crushed me at Wimbledon last year. I had that in my mind as well. I have just been winning so many matches, and winning at a high level. I know that I can always win the match, I always believe that I'm going to get my chance or my moment, and I just have to capitalize when I can.”

— Jessica Pegula, Player

What’s next

Pegula will face Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals on Friday, April 5th. The winner will advance to the semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open.

The takeaway

Pegula's ability to grind out tough three-set victories on clay demonstrates her mental toughness and determination to defend her Charleston title. Her progress will be closely watched as she aims to build momentum for the upcoming French Open.