Former player Chris Evert praised fellow American and reigning Dubai Open champion Jessica Pegula after her hard-fought victory over teenage sensation Iva Jovic in the Charleston Open semifinal on Saturday. Pegula, the defending champion, demonstrated pure resilience in her win against Jovic.
The World No. 5 took the opening set 6-4 before Jovic surprised her by winning the second 7-5. Pegula fought her way back into the match by securing a crucial break of serve in the final set and won it 6-3. With this win, Pegula now has the chance to defend her title and clinch back-to-back championships in Charleston.
Evert took to X to share her thoughts about the semifinal clash between Pegula and Jovic. While the tennis legend praised both players, she specifically gave a shoutout to Pegula, saying that the American pro has some “magical powers,” considering her hard-fought journey in the Charleston Open.
“After watching her this week in Charleston, I’m convinced @JPegula has magical powers… wonderful match from Jessie and Iva..👏👏👏💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼,” Evert wrote.
Pegula has dropped a set in every round of the WTA 500 tournament so far. Thrice she has completed a comeback win after losing the opening set to her opponents: in the R3 (vs. Yulia Putintseva), R16 (vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto), and the quarterfinals (vs. Diana Shnaider).
Pegula is eyeing her second WTA title this season after winning the WTA 1000 event in Dubai in February.
Jessica Pegula Was Relieved After Winning the First Set of a Match in Charleston
In her post-game press conference, Pegula shared her feelings on winning the opening set against 18-year-old Jovic, which marked the first time she won the first set in the ongoing event.
“When I won the first set today, I thought, ‘Oh man, I have such a great chance to not go to three.’ I was like, ‘Maybe I’ll get it done in two today.’ I’d love some straight-set victories — that would be nice. But a win’s a win. If I’m gonna win every match for the rest of my life, but it’s three sets, I’ll take the three sets,” Pegula said.
Now, Pegula is set to face World No. 89 Yulia Starodubtseva in Sunday’s final, which will be the first meeting between the duo, as Pegula aims to go 10-0 in Charleston and make it back-to-back titles at the claycourt event.
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