WTA Charleston Open Round-Up Semifinals | Jessica Pegula survives Jovic test; as Starodubtseva upsets Madison Keys

The WTA Charleston Open semifinals delivered two contrasting match patterns, as Jessica Pegula advanced past Iva Jovic in three sets while Yuliia Starodubtseva defeated Madison Keys in straight sets to reach the final. On green clay in Charleston, both matches highlighted the importance of return pressure and second-serve vulnerability in shaping progression toward the final.

From a draw perspective, the Charleston Open now sets up a final between a top seed and a breakthrough contender. Pegula, the defending champion and world No. 5, continues her consistent run on home soil, while Starodubtseva secures the biggest result of her career. The outcome reflects both expected stability at the top and emerging depth in the field as the tournament reaches its decisive stage.

Pegula advanced to the final after a fluctuating three-set contest against Jovic, shaped by shifts in return pressure and serve reliability. The American faced immediate difficulty, falling 0-3 behind as Jovic targeted second serves and extended rallies. The teenager established early scoreboard control through consistent depth and by forcing Pegula into defensive positions during longer exchanges.

The first set turned through gradual adjustments rather than a single swing. Pegula improved her first-serve percentage and began shortening points behind more precise placement, reducing exposure on second serve. From 0-3 down, she won six of the next seven games, combining more efficient service holds with increased pressure on Jovic’s delivery to close the set 6-4.

The second set was defined by stability on serve from both players. Through the opening ten games, neither created a break opportunity, with both operating at around 80% of points won behind first serve. The balance shifted only at 5-5, when Jovic raised her return intensity, forcing errors and converting her first break chance to take the set 7-5 and extend the match.

In the decider, Jovic carried momentum forward, securing an early break and extending her run to four consecutive games. Pegula responded by adjusting return positioning and increasing aggression on second-serve returns, allowing her to recover the deficit through consecutive breaks. From 0-2 down, she won four of the next five games to re-establish scoreboard control.

Pegula’s first-serve performance remained the key differentiator, winning roughly 75% of those points, while her improved break-point conversion in the final set explained the turnaround after trailing. Jovic maintained competitive pressure throughout, saving multiple match points earlier in the match, but Pegula ultimately closed from a return game. She advances to face Yuliia Starodubtseva in the final, reinforcing her consistency as defending champion.

Starodubtseva progressed to her first WTA final with a straight-sets win over Keys, built on sustained return pressure. The opening set was defined by repeated breaks, with the Ukrainian winning four consecutive return games as Keys struggled to establish rhythm on serve. The American managed only one game in the set, largely due to difficulties behind both first and second deliveries. Keys won just 34% of total service points in the opening set, a trend that continued intermittently throughout the match and limited her ability to control points.

The second set followed a similar structure despite a more balanced start. Keys held more consistently early on, but Starodubtseva increased depth on return from 2-2, generating consecutive breaks to move ahead 5-2. The match appeared largely under control for Starodubtseva, but Keys produced a late response. The 2025 Australian Open champion applied pressure with her serve and managed to recover one of the breaks.

At 4-5, Keys served to level the set and extend the semifinal, but again struggled under pressure. She dropped her service game to love in the tenth game, allowing Starodubtseva to close out the match without facing further resistance.

Starodubtseva’s efficiency on break points and consistent depth from the baseline explain the outcome. She advances to face Pegula in the final, securing a career-high ranking around world No. 53 and her first title opportunity at WTA 500 level