Jessica Pegula has continued her superb start to the 2026 WTA season after clinching the title at the Charleston Open.
Entering the WTA 500 tournament as the top seed and defending champion, Pegula was under pressure right from the start.
But the American was pushed all the way by the Charleston Open fans, winning her final against Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Pegula triumphed 6-2, 6-2 to secure the trophy, which followed four matches that went the distance in Charleston.
She has now reacted to the success on social media, sharing her delight at claiming an 11th career title.
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Jessica Pegula celebrates winning the Charleston Open
World number five Pegula posted on Instagram: “5 straight days, 11 hrs & 22 min later… [trophy] #11 thanks for the crazy week [Charleston Open].”
She has received plenty of support within the post, with her fellow WTA star Coco Gauff reacting with three fire emojis.
Skiing icon Lindsey Vonn posted two muscle emojis, while the Charleston Open added: “Different year, same ending. Our champ!”
And Asia Muhammad, who she played doubles with at the tournament, commented: “You reeeeeally earned that.”
The American duo linked up on home soil, but lost their doubles opener to Erin Routliffe and Jennifer Brady.
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Jessica Pegula plays out difficult but entertaining week in Charleston
There is no WTA rankings change for Pegula despite her success, but she does now boast two titles this season already.
Clearly playing some of the best tennis of her career, the 32-year-old also lifted the trophy in Dubai in February.
Looking back on her extraordinary run in Charleston, she told the WTA website of the fans: “I definitely gave them a lot of entertainment throughout the week, and a lot of really entertaining matches.
“Hopefully some good tennis, so I think they definitely got their money’s worth.”
| Year | Titles | Tournaments |
| 2026 | 2 | Dubai, Charleston |
| 2025 | 3 | Bad Homburg, Charleston, Austin |
| 2024 | 2 | Toronto, Berlin |
| 2023 | 2 | Montreal, Seoul |
| 2022 | 1 | Guadalajara |
| 2019 | 1 | Washington DC |
Fans certainly did get their money’s worth thanks to the home favorite, who played three-set matches against Yulia Putintseva, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Diana Shnaider and Iva Jovic.
Pegula was then ultimately able to get over the line in two sets against Starodubtseva, who incidentally has risen a huge 36 spots in the WTA rankings to 53rd.
It represents a career-high for the Ukrainian, who was playing in her first tour-level final at the Charleston Open.
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