Jessica Pegula Defends Charleston Open Title

Pegula joins elite company with back-to-back wins at the clay court tournament

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:07pm

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Jessica Pegula successfully defended her Charleston Open title, defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2, 6-2 in the final. With this victory, Pegula joined an exclusive club of players who have won the Charleston Open multiple times, including legends like Serena Williams, Chris Evert, and Steffi Graf.

Why it matters

Defending a championship on the professional tennis circuit is an incredibly difficult feat, as it requires both physical and mental toughness to withstand the grueling demands of a clay-court tournament. Pegula's accomplishment puts her in rarified air among the greatest players in the sport's history.

The details

Pegula, the world No. 5 and top seed, had to overcome an early deficit in the opening set before finding her rhythm and cruising to victory. She logged over 13 hours of court time during the tournament, showcasing her remarkable endurance. In the post-match press conference, Pegula delivered a hilarious quip about the tournament's increased prize money, highlighting the ongoing push for financial equity in women's sports.

  • Pegula won the Charleston Open title in 2025.
  • The last player to successfully defend the Charleston Open title was Serena Williams in 2012 and 2013, a 13-year gap.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The world No. 5 and top seed at the Charleston Open, Pegula is a rising American star who has now won 11 career singles titles, including back-to-back victories at the Charleston tournament.

Yuliia Starodubtseva

A Ukrainian player who entered the Charleston Open draw as a late replacement after Amanda Anisimova's withdrawal. Starodubtseva reached her first career WTA final, a breakthrough performance that will see her climb to a career-high ranking of No. 53.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes when you win a tournament, you kind of romanticize it, like it was so easy. It's usually not.”

— Jessica Pegula

“We couldn't have done it last year when I won the tournament?”

— Jessica Pegula

What’s next

With the momentum of her Dubai and Charleston titles, Pegula heads into the heart of the European clay-court season as a legitimate threat. Starodubtseva, meanwhile, will look to build on her breakthrough run as she climbs to a career-high ranking.

The takeaway

Pegula's back-to-back Charleston Open titles cement her status as one of the top players on the WTA Tour, joining an elite group of champions who have dominated the clay-court event. Her relatable persona and dry sense of humor have also made her a fan favorite, as she continues to push for greater financial equity in women's sports.