Four American tennis players, including top seed Jessica Pegula, secured their places in the third round of the Credit One Charleston Open on Wednesday, continuing the strong performance of home favorites.
Pegula, the No. 1 seed, and Emma Navarro, the No. 4 seed, dominated their opening matches of the clay-court season, each conceding only 10 games in total.
Pegula, arriving in Charleston after finishing as runner-up to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Miami Open, started strong by winning the first eight games against qualifier Iryna Shymanovich, eventually winning 6-0, 6-3. Navarro, playing in her hometown of Charleston, defeated fellow American Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-3 in one of two all-American matchups of the day.
Joining them in the Round of 16 are No. 15 seed Ashlyn Krueger and unseeded Sofia Kenin, both of whom also won in straight sets. Krueger, the reigning Charleston doubles champion with Sloane Stephens, defeated Katie Volynets 6-3, 7-6(4) in the other all-American match on Wednesday. Kenin achieved a decisive 6-0, 6-3 victory over No. 17 seed Belinda Bencic.
