WTA Charleston Open Round-Up Final | Jessica Pegula retaings title with straight-sets win over Starodubtseva

Sunday, 05 April 2026 at 22:00

The WTA Charleston Open final saw Jessica Pegula defeat Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to secure the title on green clay by 6-2, 6-2. The match was shaped by a clear shift in control after an even opening phase, with Pegula imposing higher first-serve efficiency and sustained return pressure to separate from the baseline exchanges and close the final in two sets.

From a draw perspective, Pegula consolidates her position as one of the most consistent performers on clay at this stage of the season, successfully defending her title.

Starodubtseva, meanwhile, completes a breakthrough week with her first WTA 500 final, securing a significant ranking rise and reinforcing her ability to compete against top-tier opposition despite the one-sided scoreline in the final.

Pegula builds sustained pressure to retain title

Jessica Pegula def. Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2, 6-2

Pegula secured the Charleston title with a straight-sets win, but the match began on more balanced terms than the final score suggests. Starodubtseva held comfortably in her opening service games and maintained parity through the first four games, using depth and early timing to establish initial rhythm. Pegula, however, remained patient in return games, waiting for a drop in first-serve efficiency to create the first opening.

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The first set shifted at 2-2, when Pegula converted her first break opportunity. From that point, she increased first-serve percentage and reduced exposure on second serve, allowing her to string together five consecutive games to close the set 6-2. Starodubtseva’s level dropped notably after the break, particularly in rally tolerance and service consistency, which limited her ability to extend points or reset exchanges.

In the second set, Pegula carried that momentum immediately. An early break at the start of the set extended her run to eight consecutive games, effectively removing scoreboard pressure from her side. Starodubtseva struggled to hold serve across multiple games, conceding consecutive breaks as Pegula stepped further inside the baseline on return and shortened points with more direct patterns.

The only interruption came late in the set, when Starodubtseva managed to recover a break and hold, briefly extending the match. However, this did not alter the overall structure. Pegula responded immediately, resetting with a clean service game to close the match without further complications.

Pegula’s advantage was built on first-serve reliability and repeated success attacking second serves, which translated into multiple consecutive breaks across both sets. Starodubtseva, after a stable opening phase, won a low percentage of points behind her second serve and was unable to sustain pressure in return games.

Pegula secures back-to-back titles in Charleston and enters the clay swing with stable form, while Starodubtseva leaves with a first WTA 500 final and a projected career-high ranking.

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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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