The Charleston Open semifinals are set, featuring three Americans vying for the title. Amanda Anisimova secured her spot by defeating local favorite Emma Navarro in a tight quarterfinal match, decided by a tiebreak.
This marks the first time since 2003 that three American players have reached the semifinals in Charleston. The question now is whether one of them will claim the championship, or if Ekaterina Alexandrova will emerge victorious.
Jessica Pegula vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova (1 p.m. ET)
Pegula`s Advantage: Jessica Pegula enters the semifinal as the player with the strongest momentum. She demonstrated her resilience by overcoming Danielle Collins in the quarterfinals, winning nine consecutive games after a slow start. Pegula`s current form mirrors Collins` dominant streak last year when she secured titles in Miami and Charleston.
Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, is playing with confidence, utilizing her powerful and precise groundstrokes. While she reached the Miami final recently, she aims to go further in Charleston and secure the title that has eluded her in past years. However, she faces a tough challenge against Alexandrova, who has defeated her in their last two encounters. Pegula`s only victory over Alexandrova was on clay in Rome four years ago, which she hopes to replicate.
Pegula`s consistent performance this season, with a tour-leading 23 match wins, makes her a strong contender.
Alexandrova`s Strength: While Pegula has a strong record in quarterfinals, Alexandrova has been her spoiler twice recently. Alexandrova seems to have found a successful strategy against Pegula, even coming back from a set down in their previous matches, including a dominant victory in Doha.
Alexandrova acknowledges Pegula`s consistency and the need to earn every point against her. Alexandrova herself is known for streaks, having won eight matches earlier this year, including a title in Linz. After a brief slump, she has rebounded in Charleston with impressive wins over higher-ranked players, including Zheng Qinwen, ending Zheng`s winning streak on clay.
At 30, Alexandrova aims to make history and reach her first clay-court final, building on her previous semifinal appearances in Charleston and elsewhere.
Amanda Anisimova vs. Sofia Kenin (to follow)
Anisimova`s Edge: Anisimova displayed remarkable determination against Navarro, especially when Navarro was close to winning the second set. Anisimova`s strong return game proved crucial, and she will need to maintain this level against Kenin.
While their past matches are from ITF tournaments eight years ago, Anisimova did win their only clay-court encounter. She hopes for continued crowd support in this all-American semifinal.
Anisimova is having a strong year, including a WTA 1000 title in Doha, and reaching the Charleston semifinal marks her best result at a WTA 500 event.
Kenin`s Resilience: Despite a less favorable history in Charleston, Sofia Kenin has been impressive this year, winning four matches without dropping a set as an unseeded player. She has defeated seeded players like Belinda Bencic, Daria Kasatkina, and Anna Kalinskaya, showcasing strong serving and resilience.
Kenin recognizes Anisimova`s powerful, flat hitting style and anticipates a match where both players will aim to dictate play. She is determined to be the American player advancing to the final.
Kenin`s only previous clay-court semifinal appearance was at Roland Garros five years ago, where she reached the final after winning the Australian Open. She is confident in her current form and sees this week as a significant opportunity.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth