Top seed Jessica Pegula successfully defended her title at the Credit One Charleston Open, overpowering first-time finalist Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2 6-2 in a commanding championship performance.
World No. 5 Pegula faced a tough road to the final, battling through four consecutive three-set matches against Yulia Putintseva, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Diana Shnaider, and Iva Jovic, before saving seven of eight break points against unseeded Starodubtseva to claim an emphatic victory in the title match.
Charleston debutante Starodubtseva, meanwhile, cruised into her maiden final but struggled against the American, committing 41 unforced errors. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian’s impressive run at the WTA 500 tournament in South Carolina will propel her past her previous career-high of No. 63, reaching a new career-best ranking of No. 53.
Pegula has now notched 24 match wins in 2026, surpassing Aryna Sabalenka for the most victories on tour this year.
