Jessica Pegula Secures First Clay-Court Title with Stunning Comeback in Charleston

Jessica Pegula defeated Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5 to win the Charleston Open, claiming her first clay-court title. After trailing 1-5 in the second set, Pegula saved three set points and won six straight games. The win is her second title of the year and will push her to world No. 3.

Jessica Pegula Secures First Clay-Court Title with Stunning Comeback in Charleston

Jessica Pegula captured her maiden clay-court championship at the Credit One Charleston Open, staging a remarkable comeback to defeat fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5 in the final.

In the tournament's first all-American final since 1990, world No. 4 Pegula started strong by breaking Kenin in the opening game and cruising through the first set. However, Kenin—ranked 44th and a former Australian Open champion—stormed back to lead 5-1 in the second set, threatening to push the match into a third.

Despite the deficit and facing three set points, Pegula surged with six consecutive games to clinch victory in straight sets. The win marked her eighth career title and her second trophy of 2025, following her success in Austin. This triumph also comes just a week after a runner-up finish at the Miami Open.

Speaking after the match, Pegula acknowledged the challenging windy conditions and admitted she was physically drained during the second set. "I just wanted to gain some momentum for a third set," she told Tennis Channel. "Honestly, I didn’t expect to break her twice, but I found a way to raise my level."

With this title, Pegula is set to move up to No. 3 in the WTA rankings.

Meanwhile, in Houston, 24-year-old Jenson Brooksby stunned defending champion Frances Tiafoe to capture his first ATP title at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships. Entering as a wildcard ranked 507th, Brooksby dismantled second-seeded Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2, completing a fairytale run. The American returned to competition this year after a 13-month suspension due to three missed doping test whereabouts.