Pegula\’s Triumphant Season, A Masterclass in Resilience and Clay-Court Glory
The question \"who won the Pegula tennis match\" has had a thrilling answer throughout the 2025 season, most notably with ...
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The question “who won the Pegula tennis match” has had a thrilling answer throughout the 2025 season, most notably with Jessica Pegula’s dramatic victory at the Charleston Open 🏆. In a stunning all-American final against Sofia Kenin, the top-seeded Pegula showcased incredible mental fortitude, overcoming a significant deficit to win 6-3, 7-5 and claim her first career clay-court title.
This victory was far from straightforward. After comfortably taking the first set, Pegula seemed to hit a wall in the second, finding herself trailing 1-5 against a determined Kenin. With Kenin serving for the set at 5-2 and holding three set points, a defeat seemed imminent. However, Pegula’s now-trademark calm under pressure ignited an improbable and spectacular comeback. She saved all three set points, won six consecutive games, and sealed the match, leaving fans and commentators in awe of her resilience.
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This win was deeply symbolic for Pegula, representing a powerful homecoming 🏡. During the trophy ceremony, she fought back tears while recalling her childhood roots in South Carolina. “I spend a couple of years training here on Daniel Island in my early 20s. So to be able to come here this week… and take the title is just incredible,” she shared, highlighting a full-circle moment where she won on the same clay courts where she learned to play.
The victory was also a testament to her exceptional mental strength, a quality famously praised by renowned coach Rick Macci. He lauded her “calming skills” and called her composure “the greatest strength of Jess Peg,” dubbing her the “Buffalo BLASTER” for digging herself out of seemingly disastrous holes.
The Charleston title was a key part of a phenomenal run for Pegula in early 2025. Her season highlights include:
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🏆 ATX Open Title: She started her year strong by defeating McCartney Kessler 7-5, 6-2 on hard courts.
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🥈 Miami Open Finalist: She reached the final but fell to the formidable World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, though her playful post-match spirit—”stealing” Sabalenka’s signature drink—showed her fun-loving personality.
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📈 Career-High Ranking: The Charleston win propelled her to a career-high World No. 3, reclaiming the spot as the top-ranked American player and surpassing Coco Gauff.
Pegula’s success is built on a foundation of remarkable consistency and a complete all-court game. By the middle of the year, she had achieved a rare feat, becoming the first player in the 2025 season to win titles on hard court, clay, and grass. Her third title of the year came at the Bad Homburg Open on grass, where she defeated Iga Świątek 6-4, 7-5.

Her ability to win on all surfaces underscores a technical versatility that is increasingly rare in the modern game, making her a constant threat in any tournament she enters.
No champion’s journey is without its challenges, and Pegula’s rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka has been a defining narrative. She has faced repeated tough losses against the Belarusian, including in the finals of the 2024 Cincinnati Open, US Open, and the 2025 Miami Open. Their head-to-head record heavily favors Sabalenka.
This fierce competition pushes both athletes to their limits. Despite the losses, Pegula consistently acknowledges Sabalenka’s prowess, stating after one defeat, “you’re the best player in the world for a reason. And you keep pushing everybody and challenging everybody to get better”.
Looking ahead, the big question is: can Pegula translate her tour dominance into a Grand Slam victory? 🎾 While she has proven herself a powerhouse in WTA 500 and 1000 events, a major title remains the ultimate goal. Her best performances at majors include being a US Open finalist (2024) and a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon (2023).
With her current form, mental toughness, and proven ability on every surface, she possesses all the tools needed to break through. The tennis world watches with anticipation to see if this season of triumph can culminate in the sport’s highest honor.
Jessica Pegula’s 2025 journey is more than just a list of wins; it’s a story of persistence, emotional growth, and strategic brilliance. From a heartfelt victory in Charleston to making history on all surfaces, she has solidified her status not just as a top player, but as a resilient and inspiring athlete whose captivating story continues to unfold with every match.
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