Past Charleston Champs Pegula, Keys Key Thursday Slate

ALL-AMERICAN JOVIC-KENIN, STEARNS-KESSLER SHOWDOWNS ON TAP

Thursday Order of Play

Two major singles titlists, a pair of Grand Slam finalists, and an Olympic gold medalist will be among the players competing for quarterfinal berths on Thursday at the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open.

One day after notching the longest win of her 17-year pro career at three hours and 10 minutes (def. Yulia Putintseva, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5), 2025 champion Jessica Pegula will continue her quest for a title defense when she faces off with Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto (not before 12:30 p.m.).

The top-seeded Pegula will look to avenge a loss to Cocciaretto in the opening round last summer at Wimbledon, 6-2, 6-3. To do so, she’ll likely use the crowd to her advantage. Having trained in both Hilton Head and Charleston in her formative years, it’s become all but a home court.

“I love playing in Charleston. To me it feels very familiar,” said Pegula. “I lived here for a couple of years and trained here in my early 20s. It’s an amazing tournament, probably the best, if not one of the best, tournaments we have on tour.  I think that’s why I always come back, because it’s really a fun week for me. My husband comes with me, we bring our dogs with us, I see a lot of friends, we see a lot of family. It’s nice to be able to play a tournament where it doesn’t feel so high stressed all the time. It’s easy to enjoy the city.”

Sofia Kenin

Pegula’s countrywoman and fellow “Player’s Box” podcaster Madison Keys will also look to return to the quarterfinals on Daniel Island. A titlist here in 2019, she’ll take on Hungary’s Anna Bondar in a first-time encounter.

Former Olympic champion (2020) and Charleston winner (2022) Belinda Bencic will get things started in Credit One Stadium at 11 a.m., against Czech Sara Bejlek.

Kicking off the night session in Credit One Stadium (not before 6 p.m.) will be a much-anticipated matchup between fourth seed Iva Jovic and 2025 Charleston finalist Sofia Kenin. Jovic, 18, is up to a career-high No. 16 in the PIF WTA Rankings on the heels of her quarterfinal breakthrough at the Australian Open.

The stadium nightcap will feature a must-see billing between wildcard Paula Badosa and eighth seed Anna Kalinskaya.

Althea Gibson Club Court will play host to an all-American battle between Peyton Stearns and McCartney Kessler ( 11 a.m.), followed by ninth seed Leylah Fernandez versus seventh seed and former NC State standout Diana Shnaider.

Madison Keys