Jessica Pegula admits the issue she is suffering with despite reaching the final of the Charleston Open against Sofia Kenin

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Jessica Pegula has reached back-to-back finals after beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semi-finals of the Charleston Open.

Pegula lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Miami Open, and has now followed that up by reaching the final of the Charleston Open for the first time.

This is already the American’s fourth final of the 2025 season, with Pegula winning her only title at the WTA 250 tournament in Austin.

With Sofia Kenin standing in the way of Pegula returning to American number one, she has admitted that there is something that she has been struggling with after playing a lot of matches in recent weeks.

Jessica Pegula admits tiredness after reaching Charleston Open final

Since Pegula began her campaign at the Miami Open just over two weeks ago, she has played 10 matches en route to reaching back-to-back finals.

This appears to be taking its toll on the current world number four, who has admitted that she is feeling fatigued both emotionally and physically.

However, Pegula beat Danielle Collins in her quarter-final and explained in her post-match press conference that she felt worse after that match than following her semi-final victory over Alexandrova.

“Yeah, I mean of course I am tired, I was tired yesterday.. I actually felt worse yesterday,” admitted Pegula. “I actually feel like okay, I mean obviously I am a little, you know the tank is running a little bit low just emotionally and physically over a long three weeks that I have been playing a lot of tennis.

“I mean I am happy to be in the final, going to go out there and do the best I can, you know rest a lot for the rest of the day and go out there and try to play my best tennis. I mean it’s nice that she [Sofia Kenin] didn’t have to play a full match at the same time [smiles], but yeah it is what it is.”

Jessica Pegula says what she finds challenging about playing Sofia Kenin

Pegula will play Sofia Kenin for her second title of the season, with the 2020 Australian Open champion reaching the final after her opponent Amanda Anisimova was forced to retire through injury.

When asked about this matchup, Pegula admitted that she was very much aware of how dangerous an opponent Kenin can be.

“Yeah she’s really tough, she’s another really tough matchup for me, she kind of hits that flat ball, can kind of take it really early, use your pace,” explained Pegula. “You know, I know she hasn’t been at her top level for a little while, but we all know she can still play like that when she wants to and clearly this week she has been playing really well.

“So, it’s going to be another one where I am going to have to use a little variety, try and mix it up when I need to and still try and go after my shots and play my game. I’ll kind of look back maybe at the US Open and see what I was doing well there, but yeah another really tough matchup for sure.”

Pegula and Kenin have a close fought head-to-head, with the former leading 3-2 following their most recent meeting at last year’s US Open.

That was their only match that has been in straight sets, with all their four other meetings producing comeback victories.

The Charleston Open women’s singles final is set to begin at 2:30pm local time on Sunday April 6, with both Pegula and Kenin looking to win their first ever title on clay.