The final match at the Credit One Charleston Open on Sunday is a testament to perseverance for both players.
Jessica Pegula, the top seed, has reached her first final at this WTA 500 tournament after semifinal losses in the previous two years. In a tough match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, Pegula demonstrated resilience, winning 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, saving 15 of 21 break points.
Pegula expressed her confidence, stating, “I’ve always felt like I’ve played good tennis here and had good results. But I told myself in Miami I really want to go for the title this year. And I think I can do it.”
Her journey is marked by determination, diligence, and tenacity.
Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, is making a comeback after a period away from top form. After ending 2022 ranked No. 235, Kenin has been steadily improving.
Kenin advanced to the final after Amanda Anisimova retired due to injury. A victory over Pegula would mark her first title in five years and propel her back into the Top 25 rankings.
This is the first All-American final in Charleston since 1990.
Kenin voiced her ambition, “It’s great that one of us is going to hold the trophy — and I hope I’ll be the one.”
Let`s examine the arguments for each finalist.
Advantage, Pegula
Professional tennis demands constant adaptation. Pegula`s quick transition this week exemplifies this.
Last Saturday, she competed in the Miami Open final against Aryna Sabalenka on a fast hard court. Despite a loss, Pegula immediately shifted focus to the Charleston Open, entering as the No. 1 seed on green clay.
Pegula quickly adjusted to the slower clay surface, winning her opening match convincingly.
Now, she is competing in her second final in just eight days, and her third this season.
Pegula leads the WTA Tour this year with 24 match wins. Her semifinal victory was her eighth consecutive. Winning the final in Charleston could be the breakthrough she needs to achieve even greater success.
Pegula holds a narrow 3-2 advantage in head-to-head matches against Kenin, including a win at last year’s US Open. However, Kenin defeated Pegula on clay at Roland Garros four years ago.
Pegula notes similarities between Alexandrova and Kenin`s playing styles.
“They definitely like to take the ball early, change lines,” Pegula said. “Really good backhands, really good returners. Yeah, it’s going to be tough again, I think very similar to today. I’m going to have to dig deep. Hopefully take some of the things I learned today and use that tomorrow.”
Winning on Sunday would elevate Pegula to No. 3 in the WTA rankings, surpassing Coco Gauff, matching her career high, and boosting her confidence for the European clay-court season.
Advantage, Kenin
Kenin entered the quarterfinals as the only unseeded player, playing without pressure. Pegula, as the top seed, carries the weight of expectations.
Kenin had previously struggled in Charleston, with only two wins in six appearances. Ranked No. 44, she quickly matched that, defeating Bernarda Pera and Belinda Bencic in straight sets. She then upset Daria Kasatkina, last year’s finalist, followed by a win over Anna Kalinskaya to reach the semifinals.
Kenin`s last streak of four consecutive wins was in Tokyo last fall, where she reached the final, also defeating Kasatkina.
Her past victory over Pegula at Roland Garros should not be overlooked. Kenin won that match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, demonstrating her clay-court prowess. Kenin`s angled shots are effective on clay, while Pegula`s flat shots are more suited for hard courts.
“Jess is a machine,” Kenin acknowledged. “She can play literally week in, week out. I really look up to her. I think what she’s doing is great. I hope tomorrow she can be a little bit off so I can win.”
“I’m expecting a battle. I’m expecting her to come out fully recovered, 100 percent.”
Kenin has made a rapid ascent in a short time. In February, ranked No. 75, she had to qualify for an event in Abu Dhabi and lost in the first round.
Now, she is on the verge of achieving significant personal milestones.
“The way I’m playing, my mentality has changed,” Kenin said. “I’m not looking up to Jess in terms of, `Oh, my God, can I win a few games?’ I’m going there with the attitude of winning the match.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth