Wednesday: Pegula Embarks on Credit One Charleston Open Title Defense

NO JOKE: KEYS, JOVIC, SAKKARI, BADOSA, ANDREESCU, KENIN ALSO ON JAM-PACKED APRIL FOOL’S DAY LINEUP 

Wednesday Order of Play

American Jessica Pegula will set out in defense of her first clay-court title on Wednesday at the Credit One Charleston Open. The world No. 5, however, says she’s doing her best not to be overwhelmed by the task at hand.

“I think it’s an honor, it’s a privilege to come back as a defending champion. Not many people get to do that,” said Pegula, who’ll go head-to-head with Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva in Round 2.

“At the same time, it’s like, ‘Oh, I have to win it again, or someone else is going to be the champion!’ I think it’s a balance of being happy to be back, but there’s maybe a little bit more pressure. You can look at the positive or negative sides. I try not to think about it too much. I think as players, we’re always aware that every week is a new week, a new winner. You can’t expect to win every single week. You just look at it as a new tournament, a new day, a new match.”

Maria Sakkari

Charlestonians will also get their first in-person look at 18-year-old sensation Iva Jovic, who earlier this year became the youngest American since Venus Williams in 1998 to reach the quarterfinal round at the Australian Open. The No. 4 seed will open play in Credit One Stadium (11 a.m.) when she makes her tournament debut against countrywoman Alycia Parks.

Also appearing in the main stadium (not before 6 p.m.) will be 2019 Charleston champion Madison Keys, who’ll have her hands full against the streaking Croat Donna Vekic. The former world No. 17 Vekic is riding a three-match win streak that includes a pair of victories in the qualifying rounds.

Two of the most high-profile matches of the day will take place on Althea Gibson Club Court. Wildcard Paula Badosa of Spain will take on 10th seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, followed by an enticing matchup between wildcard Bianca Andreescu of Canada and 2025 Charleston runner-up Sofia Kenin of the U.S.

Iva Jovic