Jessica Pegula continues to light up the WTA Tour after reaching the Charleston Open final thanks to a hard-fought win over Iva Jovic.
Jovic has potential superstar status, but she fell just short of a memorable victory over her fellow American Pegula.
The more experienced WTA ace triumphed 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 after two hours and 35 minutes to set up a Charleston Open final with Yuliia Starodubtseva.
The Ukrainian defeated Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4 to reach her first tour-level final, having only received automatic main-draw entry following a late withdrawal.
Starodubtseva now faces a very tough test against top seed and defending champion Pegula, who has received high praise from Chris Evert after reaching the final.
Which Grand Slam is Jessica Pegula most likely to win?
Jessica Pegula responds to Chris Evert’s superpower comments
Tennis legend Evert wrote on X: “After watching her this week in Charleston, I’m convinced Jessica Pegula has magical powers… wonderful match from Jessie and Iva.”
And Pegula addressed those comments post-match, saying: “I guess my superpower for this week is, I don’t know, maybe my stamina, my mental fortitude.
“I don’t know what it is, but, yeah, I guess that’s a big compliment coming from Chrissie.
“So, I think, yeah, maybe also like cat with nine lives. I’ve heard that a few times, too.
“I do feel a bit more like that than a superpower, to be honest. Maybe just a little lucky.”
| Jessica Pegula | Iva Jovic | |
| 62.7% 64/102 | Total service points won | 58.3% 67/115 |
| 41.7% 48/115 | Total return points won | 37.3% 38/102 |
| 51.6% 112/217 | Total points won | 48.4% 105/217 |
Jessica Pegula allowing her emotions to take over in Charleston
Stamina has indeed been a superpower for Pegula in Charleston, where all four of her matches so far have gone the distance.
Showing superb physical and mental strength, she has beaten Yulia Putintseva, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Diana Shnaider and now Jovic in three sets.
Sharing insight into that admirable approach, she said on court: “Sometimes I’m so tired and I don’t know, it kind of just lets me play tennis instead of getting frustrated or worried about things.
“That sounds really bad. It sounds like I’m being really negative. But sometimes I give into my emotions a bit and it lets me play a little more free.
“But yeah, I kept battling out there. It was tough. I had to make a lot of adjustments.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but I think it just came down to competing and maybe playing the bigger points a little bit better.”
Who will win a Grand Slam title first?
As long as the results continue, the home favorite at Charleston won’t mind the manner of her tennis too much.
She has now taken her wins tally for the season to 23, which ties her with world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the very top of the list.
The American is targeting a second title of 2026 and the 11th of her career in the Charleston Open final, where Starodubtseva is competing for her first.
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