×
Charleston Open 2026: Pegula defends title with dominant win over Starodubtseva Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Charleston #Open #Pegula #defends #title #dominant #win #Starodubtseva

Charleston Open 2026: Pegula defends title with dominant win over Starodubtseva

Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.

Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.

The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.

After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.

The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.

After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.

After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.

Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.

But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.

Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.

But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Charleston #Open #Pegula #defends #title #dominant #win #Starodubtseva

Sports news , , , , , ,

Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.

Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.

The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.

After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.

The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.

After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.

After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.

Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.

But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.

Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.

But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

Source link
#Charleston #Open #Pegula #defends #title #dominant #win #Starodubtseva

Tag

Related Posts

Deadspin | Eliminated Rangers rout Caps for 2nd straight win over playoff contender Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Adam Sykora (38) celebrates his goal with center Noah Laba (42) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images Will Cuylle scored twice in a span of 2:40 during a five-goal second period on the way to his first career hat trick and the host New York Rangers prevented the Washington Capitals from gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with an 8-1 rout on Sunday night. Washington (39-30-9, 87 points) fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second and final wild-card spot. The Capitals also trail the New York Islanders by two points and are one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Three of those four teams have a game in hand on Washington. Cuylle gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead 5:53 into the second when he cut to the edge of the crease and used his stick for a redirection of a pass by Braden Schneider into the open net. He scored again by sending a shot from the left circle by Charlie Lindgren immediately upon exiting the penalty box. Cuylle finished off the hat trick in the final minute of the contest on a shot from the slot. J.T. Miller used his skate at the left edge of the crease to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead during a power play 3:07 into the second after Mika Zibanejad’s shot banked off Lindgren’s pad. Rookie Adam Sykora and Adam Fox also scored during the big period as the Rangers (33-36-9, 75 points) won for the fifth time in six games following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1). It marked the second straight day New York earned a lopsided win over a playoff contender after Saturday’s 4-1 win over Detroit. Lindgren made 35 saves in Washington’s 1-0 win in New York on Oct. 12 but struggled immensely in his first game since March 12 at Buffalo. He recorded 24 saves, but tied a career worst by allowing eight goals for the second time in his career. Connor McMichael scored Washington’s only goal on a breakaway at 13:45 of the first period to tie the game at 1. Washington allowed seven-plus goals against the Rangers for the second time this season and conceded at least seven goals for the second time in three games. Connor Sheary scored on a rebound from in front of the net 23 seconds into the contest, and Vincent Trocheck tallied 2:27 into the third to make it 7-1. New York goalie Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Eliminated #Rangers #rout #Caps #2nd #straight #win #playoff #contenderApr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Adam Sykora (38) celebrates his goal with center Noah Laba (42) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Will Cuylle scored twice in a span of 2:40 during a five-goal second period on the way to his first career hat trick and the host New York Rangers prevented the Washington Capitals from gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with an 8-1 rout on Sunday night.

Washington (39-30-9, 87 points) fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second and final wild-card spot. The Capitals also trail the New York Islanders by two points and are one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Three of those four teams have a game in hand on Washington.

Cuylle gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead 5:53 into the second when he cut to the edge of the crease and used his stick for a redirection of a pass by Braden Schneider into the open net. He scored again by sending a shot from the left circle by Charlie Lindgren immediately upon exiting the penalty box.

Cuylle finished off the hat trick in the final minute of the contest on a shot from the slot.

J.T. Miller used his skate at the left edge of the crease to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead during a power play 3:07 into the second after Mika Zibanejad’s shot banked off Lindgren’s pad.


Rookie Adam Sykora and Adam Fox also scored during the big period as the Rangers (33-36-9, 75 points) won for the fifth time in six games following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1).

It marked the second straight day New York earned a lopsided win over a playoff contender after Saturday’s 4-1 win over Detroit.

Lindgren made 35 saves in Washington’s 1-0 win in New York on Oct. 12 but struggled immensely in his first game since March 12 at Buffalo. He recorded 24 saves, but tied a career worst by allowing eight goals for the second time in his career.

Connor McMichael scored Washington’s only goal on a breakaway at 13:45 of the first period to tie the game at 1. Washington allowed seven-plus goals against the Rangers for the second time this season and conceded at least seven goals for the second time in three games.

Connor Sheary scored on a rebound from in front of the net 23 seconds into the contest, and Vincent Trocheck tallied 2:27 into the third to make it 7-1.

New York goalie Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Eliminated #Rangers #rout #Caps #2nd #straight #win #playoff #contender">Deadspin | Eliminated Rangers rout Caps for 2nd straight win over playoff contender Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Adam Sykora (38) celebrates his goal with center Noah Laba (42) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images Will Cuylle scored twice in a span of 2:40 during a five-goal second period on the way to his first career hat trick and the host New York Rangers prevented the Washington Capitals from gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with an 8-1 rout on Sunday night. Washington (39-30-9, 87 points) fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second and final wild-card spot. The Capitals also trail the New York Islanders by two points and are one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Three of those four teams have a game in hand on Washington. Cuylle gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead 5:53 into the second when he cut to the edge of the crease and used his stick for a redirection of a pass by Braden Schneider into the open net. He scored again by sending a shot from the left circle by Charlie Lindgren immediately upon exiting the penalty box. Cuylle finished off the hat trick in the final minute of the contest on a shot from the slot. J.T. Miller used his skate at the left edge of the crease to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead during a power play 3:07 into the second after Mika Zibanejad’s shot banked off Lindgren’s pad. Rookie Adam Sykora and Adam Fox also scored during the big period as the Rangers (33-36-9, 75 points) won for the fifth time in six games following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1). It marked the second straight day New York earned a lopsided win over a playoff contender after Saturday’s 4-1 win over Detroit. Lindgren made 35 saves in Washington’s 1-0 win in New York on Oct. 12 but struggled immensely in his first game since March 12 at Buffalo. He recorded 24 saves, but tied a career worst by allowing eight goals for the second time in his career. Connor McMichael scored Washington’s only goal on a breakaway at 13:45 of the first period to tie the game at 1. Washington allowed seven-plus goals against the Rangers for the second time this season and conceded at least seven goals for the second time in three games. Connor Sheary scored on a rebound from in front of the net 23 seconds into the contest, and Vincent Trocheck tallied 2:27 into the third to make it 7-1. New York goalie Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Eliminated #Rangers #rout #Caps #2nd #straight #win #playoff #contender

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal said a lot of hard work over the last few seasons has helped elevate his game, while also crediting the franchise management for his growth as a batter.

Padikkal struck a stroke-filled 50 off 29 balls as the defending champion piled up a daunting 250 for 3 against the Chennai Super Kings.

“Simply put it is a lot of hard work and a lot of self-belief that’s helped me get there. It wasn’t easy initially to make that change because it was something that I had to really change from the foundation that I have in terms of the type of cricket I wanted to play growing up, that’s a change that I have made consciously,” he told the media after the game.

“RCB and the whole support staff have been really great and have been guiding me in the right way,” he added.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#VIDEO #Hard #work #selfbelief #helped #elevate #game #Padikkal">VIDEO | Hard work and self-belief helped me elevate my game, says Padikkal Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Devdutt Padikkal said a lot of hard work over the last few seasons has helped elevate his game, while also crediting the franchise management for his growth as a batter.Padikkal struck a stroke-filled 50 off 29 balls as the defending champion piled up a daunting 250 for 3 against the Chennai Super Kings.“Simply put it is a lot of hard work and a lot of self-belief that’s helped me get there. It wasn’t easy initially to make that change because it was something that I had to really change from the foundation that I have in terms of the type of cricket I wanted to play growing up, that’s a change that I have made consciously,” he told the media after the game.“RCB and the whole support staff have been really great and have been guiding me in the right way,” he added.Published on Apr 06, 2026 #VIDEO #Hard #work #selfbelief #helped #elevate #game #Padikkal

Deadspin | Cardnals’ 4-run 5th denies Tigers 3-game sweep Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night. Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save. Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season. Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout. Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games. St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night. Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead. The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly. St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweepApr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night.

Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.

Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times.

Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season.


Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout.

Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games.

St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night.

Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly.

St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweep">Deadspin | Cardnals’ 4-run 5th denies Tigers 3-game sweep Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera (48) drives in a pair of runs on a single against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals topped the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, on Sunday night. Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save. Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit. Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday after Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Verlander was scheduled on Sunday to make his first start at Detroit’s Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since the 2017 season. Detroit had a baserunner in the first inning and two more in the second. Leahy got out of the latter jam by inducing a Javier Baez groundout. Leahy wasn’t as fortunate in the third. Colt Keith led off with a single. Two outs later, Carpenter hit a majestic shot over the center field wall for his second long ball in as many games. St. Louis grabbed the lead in the fifth. Nolan Gorman led off with a single and Thomas Saggese walked. After a fielder’s choice, Pages smacked a game-tying RBI single to end Montero’s night. Enmanual De Jesus replaced him and Victor Scott executed a squeeze bunt to tie the game. De Jesus’ errant throw put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Herrera lined a single to right to knock in both runners for a 4-2 lead. The Tigers cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3 in the sixth. Reliever George Soriano issued walks to Dillon Dingler and Torkelson sandwiching a Parker Meadows single. Baez then hit a sacrifice fly. St. Louis scored a run in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Herrera walked. One out later, Jordan Walker walked to load the bases and Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cardnals #4run #5th #denies #Tigers #3game #sweep

Post Comment