Jessica Pegula reached her third final in four tournaments with a three sets victory against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the WTA Charleston Open (Matthew Stockman)
The seeded Jessica Pegula organized a final rally to defeat the ninth Russian seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 and reach the final of the Tournament de la Court de Clay Clay WTA Charleston on Saturday.
Pegula, who ousted the defending champion Danielle Collins in the quarterfinals on Friday, seemed to be in trouble after taking 4-2 in the decisive set to leave Alexandrova serving for an advance of 5-2.
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But Alexandrova gave Pegula a lifeline with a trembling service game, and after being down 15-40, offered his opponent a break with a double fault.
Pegula then held at the level of 4-4 and although Alexandrova also held for an advance of 5-4, Pegula was clearly in the ascendant.
The American equalized in service at 5-5, then took a crucial break in the 11th match for an advance of 6-5 to let it serve for the match.
Pegula quickly held two match points at 40-15, and although Alexandrova saved the first with a forehand from the transverse area in the area, Pegula lashed a setback on the line to win the victory.
“It was a difficult match – it was not the prettiest,” said Pegula, adding that the winding conditions had caused two players problems.
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“It was really windy-there were clumsy shots and we were both very uncomfortable,” she said. “On short bullets and low balls, it was a bit whirling. I was just trying not to be frustrated.”
Pegula will now face Sofia Kenin in the Sunday’s final. Kenin put forward after the opponent in the semi-finals, Amanda Anisimova, eighth seeded, retired in the first set.
Anisimova needed a 2-1 medical waiting period in the first set after seeming to undergo a hip injury. The American always had trouble for mobility from this point and retired after falling 5-2.
“It’s never pleasant to see,” said Kenin about his opponent’s injury. “I felt like she was struggling, so you try to keep it as respectful as possible, taking it by point.
“It is regrettable that it happens.”
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