This Week in Tennis: Pegula Kicks Off Clay…

Pegula Goes Back-to-Back in Charleston

Jessica Pegula started her clay-court season in a big way, successfully defending her title at the Charleston Open with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Yuliia Starodubtseva on Sunday, becoming the first repeat champion at the event since 2013.

Pegula was the story of the week, as she needed to come back from a set down in each of her first three matches in the tournament. The 32-year-old also needed a third set to dispatch Iva Jovic in the semifinal before showing her best form in a dominant final.

“There were many three-set matches. It’s been such a long week for me, and you guys brought me through so many matches every single day. So thank you so much. I love playing here,” Pegula said to the fans during the trophy presentation.

It is Pegula’s second title of 2026 after her WTA 1000 win in Dubai in February. The world No. 5 now leads the WTA match with 24 wins this season.

After spending 11 hours and 22 minutes on the court in Charleston, Pegula says she is feeling physically drained and is ready to relax before the road to Roland-Garros picks up steam later this month.

“My body actually feels pretty good, but I just feel very drained,” Pegula said in an interview with wtatennis.com. “I actually feel better today. Obviously played a much quicker match. Still a lot of stimulation from doing all the stuff when you win a tournament, so once I get home, I'll be actually able to just lay on the couch and de-stimulate a bit.”

Paul Wins First ATP Clay Title

Tommy Paul saved three championship points in the third set and rallied to beat Roman Andres Burruchaga 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to win the Houston Open. It’s the fifth ATP title of his career and his first clay.

Burruchaga held the three championship points leading 5-2 in the third set but was unable to clinch what would have been the first ATP title of his career.

The 28-year-old Paul is the fifth consecutive American to win the title in Houston, following Reilly Opelka (2022), Frances Tiafoe (2023), Ben Shelton (2024) and Jenson Brooksby (2025).

Paul jumped to 18th in the ATP Rankings with the win and is eighth in the ATP Live Race.

Read also: ATP Power Rankings: Is it Sinner Time on Clay?

All Winners This Week:

WTA 500 - Charleston

Women’s Singles: Jessica Pegula* (2/11) d. Yuliia Staradubtseva

Women’s Doubles: Desirae Krawczyk and Caty McNally d. Anna Bondar and Magdalena Frech

WTA 250 - Bogota

Women’s Singles: Marie Bouzkova* (1/3) d. Panna Udvardy

Women’s Doubles: Caroline Dolehide and Irina Khromacheva d. Valeriya Strakhova and Anastasia Tikhonova

ATP 250 - Houston

Men’s Singles: Tommy Paul* (1/5) d. Roman Andres Burruchaga

Men’s Doubles: Andy Andrade and Ben Shelton d. Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos

ATP 250 - Marrakech

Men’s Singles: Rafael Jodar* (1/1) d. Marco Trungelliti

Men’s Doubles: Robert Cash and J.J. Tracy d. Vasil Kirkov and Bart Stevens

ATP 250 - Bucharest

Men’s Singles: Mariano Navone* (1/1) d. Daniel Merida

Men’s Doubles: Sadio Doumbla and Fablen Reboul d. Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl

* 2026 Titles/Career Titles

Read also: WTA Power Rankings: Can Sabalenka Reign on Clay?

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : WTA

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