Pegula Overcomes Defending Champion Collins to Advance in Charleston

World number four Jessica Pegula came from a set and a break down to beat defending champion Danielle Collins 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 and reach the semi-finals of the WTA clay court tournament in Charleston.

Jessica Pegula made a stunning comeback to defeat defending champion Danielle Collins 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 at the WTA clay court tournament in Charleston, South Carolina. Pegula, the world number four, trailed 6-1, 2-0 but managed to win 10 of the last 13 games, including the last nine to close out the contest. “That was tough,” Pegula admitted, reflecting on the challenging match.

Pegula acknowledged Collins' impressive start, saying, “Obviously she can play well here. She's defending champion and she came out firing. I was not ready for that at all.” However, Pegula was able to turn the match around, and she credited her ability to “dig my heels into that second set and play some good tennis.”

With this win, Pegula advances to the semi-finals of the tournament. She will face the winner of the match between Zheng Qinwen and Ekaterina Alexandrova. This victory marks another milestone in Pegula's impressive season, having already reached the final in Miami and maintaining a 22-6 win-loss record in 2025.

From a set and a break down to complete dominance 😱

Jessica Pegula scores a come-from-behind victory over the defending champion. 🤺#CharlestonOpen pic.twitter.com/y0n4yAkIU2

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) April 4, 2025

Jessica Pegula, the world number four, revealed her strategy for overcoming defending champion Danielle Collins in their quarter-final match at the WTA clay court tournament in Charleston, South Carolina. Pegula trailed 6-1, 2-0 but managed to turn the match around, winning 10 of the last 13 games. “She was returning unbelievable, just hitting winner, winner, winner off my serve and I had to figure out a way to get my placement a little bit better,” Pegula said, reflecting on the challenging match.

Just 👏 Like 👏 That 👏

Top Seed Jessica Pegula advances to the semifinals after beating Collins 1-6, 6-3, 6-0.#CharlestonOpen pic.twitter.com/PUpKKPSKU2

— wta (@WTA) April 4, 2025

Pegula, the top seed, advanced to the semi-finals, where she will face Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova. Alexandrova secured her spot in the semi-finals by defeating Paris Olympics gold medallist Zheng Qinwen of China 6-1, 6-4. This marks Alexandrova's third semi-final appearance of the season, having previously beaten Zheng in their two prior meetings.

Alexandrova's victory over Zheng was impressive, as she saved all three break points she faced and converted three of her five break points against the Chinese star. Zheng struggled, hitting just eight winners and requiring treatment on her right arm during the first set. Meanwhile, American Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, also advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Russian Anna Kalinskaya. Kenin will next face the winner of the all-American quarter-final between Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova.