Jessica PEGULA to outlast Victoria AZARENKA in thrilling Charleston Open clash

Jessica Pegula (No. 5) defeated Victoria Azarenka (No. 26) by 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7) and advanced to the semifinals of the Charleston Open for the second consecutive year, when she fell in the semifinals against defending champion Belinda Bencic.

The first set tilted towards the American, who was consistent on the return, winning 47% of the 1st return points and 42% of the 2nd serve points. The first break came in favor of Pegula in the fifth game, but Vichka quickly returned it to level 3-3.

Despite the effort of the Belarusian, the local player secured her second consecutive break, an advantage that was enough to close the set 6-4 in 44 minutes of play. Pegula's confidence in her service turns was key, with 69% of first serves in, winning 68% of them.

Pegula's superiority remained at the beginning of the second set, as she took the first break in the third game and then saved a couple of break points against her to lead 3-1. Everything seemed on track for the American, but the former world No. 1, as usual, didn't stop fighting and began to complicate her opponent.

Azarenka remained secure on serve and capitalized on Pegula's errors to win five consecutive games, taking 2 out of 3 break opportunities and saving 3 break points against her.

Everything was decided in the third set, where both struggled with their serves, and both took two consecutive breaks, maintaining equality at 2-2. When the score was 5-4 in favor of Pegula with Azarenka serving, the Belarusian had to save four match points to stay in the match, and ultimately, everything went to the tie-break.

This time it was Pegula who saved another four match points in a dramatic finale and ended up clinching the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7).

In the semifinals, her opponent will be the 4th seed Daria Kasatkina (No. 11), champion in 2017, who is getting closer to the top-10. The Russian comes after defeating Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (No. 83) by 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3.