Pegula Triumphs Over Shnaider in Charleston Marathon Match
Jessica Pegula held off a determined Diana Shnaider in a dramatic quarterfinal at the Credit One Charleston Open. The top seed recovered from a first-set loss to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Match summary
The contest lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes on Stadium Court. Pegula was No. 1 seed and Shnaider was seeded No. 7 and is 22 years old.
Pegula trailed early but ran off the final six games to seal victory. The win moves her into the semifinals.
Key moments
- Shnaider opened the match strongly, producing 12 winners in the first set.
- A pivotal game in the second set featured seven deuces. Shnaider saved four break points in that marathon hold.
- Pegula responded immediately with a love hold to blunt the momentum.
- In the third set Shnaider led 2-0, but Pegula rebounded and closed out the match with six straight games.
- Shnaider saved the first three match points, but Pegula finished with two service winners.
Statistics and streaks
Pegula is now 9-1 in three-set matches in 2026. Her record stands at 18-4 since the US Open.
This marked Pegula’s fourth semifinal in six tournaments this year. She had previously come back from third-set deficits against Yulia Putintseva and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
What the players said
Pegula admitted she felt frustrated by the slow, wet conditions early in the match. She said she had to work to find rhythm and be more aggressive in the decisive stages.
She also noted choosing to play first on Stadium Court, and she briefly regretted the shorter turnaround. Pegula credited small tactical adjustments for her stronger movement and earlier ball striking.
Next up
Pegula will face No. 4 seed Iva Jovic in the semifinal. Pegula most recently beat Jovic in Dubai.
The win reinforced Pegula’s ability to win tight contests in Charleston. The top seed’s fight and scoreboard management defined this marathon match and her latest triumph over Shnaider.
