Jessica Pegula reaches career milestone before Charleston Open title defence

Jessica Pegula is back in action this week at the Charleston Open, returning as both the defending champion and the tournament’s top seed.

Pegula comes into Charleston off the back of the Sunshine Double, which includes Indian Wells and Miami.

In both tournaments, she ran into Elena Rybakina at the quarterfinal stage and came out second best each time.

Now shifting her attention from hard courts to clay, Pegula will take on Yulia Putintseva in her opening match following a first-round bye.

The American is still searching for her first title of 2024 but did reach two finals earlier in the season, finishing as runner-up in both Doha and Dubai. She also helped Team USA reach the United Cup final alongside Taylor Fritz before falling to Iga Swiatek’s Poland.

Jessica Pegula reaches 200 straight weeks in WTA top 10

Pegula has now reached her 200th consecutive week inside the WTA top 10 rankings, a notable achievement in a highly competitive era.

She first entered the top 10 back in June 2022. Only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have maintained longer active runs.

Sabalenka’s streak stands at 281 weeks, followed by Swiatek’s 231, while Coco Gauff is just behind Pegula with an active run of 186 weeks.

Jessica Pegula on why she sees herself as different from the rest of the WTA

Sabalenka and Rybakina, who sit first and second in the WTA rankings, have been the clear standouts in 2026.

Pegula hasn’t been far behind, with a strong 19-4 record and one title already to her name this season.

She’s done it her own way too, something she touched on before her opener in Charleston.

“I’m kind of my own thing,” she said. “I feel like I am kind of my own thing though.

“I don’t really quite play as powerful as the girls… Sabalenka, Rybakina and maybe [Amanda] Anisimova.”

“They’re bigger, taller, power games, and then I think Iga and Coco use a lot of their athleticism and are very athletic around the court, the spinnier forehands and able to use their movement.”

It’s an approach that has suited Pegula well. She found success later than many of her peers but has made it count.

Pegula also decided to play doubles at Charleston this year. She teamed up with Asia Muhammad for their first-round match against Erin Routliffe and Jennifer Brady.

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