Daria KASATKINA conquers Jessica PEGULA, Charleston Open showdown ends in thrilling victory to reach the final
WTA
Daria
Kasatkina (No. 11) overcame a high-intensity duel against Jessica Pegula (No.
5) and advanced to the final of the WTA 500 Charleston Open. Both players
struggled to maintain their serve throughout the match, but ultimately the
American prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) and is just one match away from returning
to the top-10 after two years of absence.
In a more
than intense match where the score favored one player and then the other, they
began the match with exchanged breaks that kept the score level. Another break
in favor of Pegula put her 4-2 up, showing a good level against the Russian.
Kasatkina then mounted a comeback, winning the next four consecutive games to
take the set 6-4.
Pegula won
just 50% of the points on her first serve and 40% on her second, compared to
Kasatkina's 65% on her first and 40% on her second. With neither player
imposing much from the serve, it was a set dominated by exchanges from the
baseline.
In the
second set, Pegula took a more offensive approach and again was the first to
secure the break to go up 3-1. At that point, both players showed inconsistency
on serve, with seven consecutive breaks in the set (4 for Pegula and 3 for
Kasatkina). The Russian saved five set points at 3-5 with Pegula serving but
was unable to hold serve (for the fourth consecutive time) and conceded the set
6-4.
Daria Kasatkina
With
tension in the air and an increasingly involved local crowd, Pegula once again
started with a quick break to go up 2-0. Kasatkina responded by breaking back
twice, in addition to holding her service game and being ahead for the first
time since the first set. However, the serve of both players remained
inconsistent, and Kasatkina experienced physical problems when trailing 2-3,
prompting her to request a medical timeout to have her right thigh examined.
With six
breaks in the first eight games, they reached parity at 4-4, at which point
both players showed their best with the serve, and no more break points were
played in the set, leading to a tie-break. Ultimately, the 26-year-old Russian
prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) to reach her third final of the season. Throughout
the match, which lasted over two and a half hours, each player secured 8
breaks, with both winning more from the return than with the serve.
Kasatkina
is now just one step away from returning to the top-10 if she wins the title
and will play in the 16th final of her career. Her record is 6-9 so far, and
she has lost four consecutive finals since the beginning of 2023, all in WTA
500 tournaments. She now awaits her opponent, who will emerge between the 3rd
seed Maria Sakkari and the almost unstoppable Danielle Collins, who comes from
a streak of 11 consecutive victories.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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