Credit One Charleston Open 2026 - WTA 500

[britbox]

DATE: March 30 - April 5, 2026 Clay-Court Swing
SURFACE: Clay
PRIZE MONEY: $2,300,000
FIELD SIZE: 48
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Jess Pegula

Seeds and Draw

1. PEGULA, Jessica
2. ALEXANDROVA, Ekaterina
3. BENCIC, Belinda
4. JOVIC, Iva
5. KEYS, Madison
6. MERTENS, Elise
7. SHNAIDER, Diana
8. KALINSKAYA, Anna
9. FERNANDEZ, Leylah
10. SAKKARI, Maria
11. FRECH, Magdalena
12. TJEN, Janice
13. BEJLEK, Sara
14. COCCIARETTO, Elisabetta
15. BAPTISTE, Hailey
16. KENIN, Sofia

The Charleston Open

Charlie Cowins, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Credit One Charleston Open is the premier professional tennis event in the region, recognized as North America's largest women's-only tennis tournament and a WTA 500 event held annually on green clay courts at the newly renovated Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. The 2026 tournament is scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 5, featuring a $2.3 million prize purse.

The tournament's historic legacy dates back to 1973 as the Family Circle Cup, evolving over time to include past champions like Serena Williams, Chris Evert, and recent winner Jessica Pegula.

Source: Brave AI

About Charleston

Something Original at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of America's most storied and captivating cities. Founded by the English in 1670 as Charles Town, it quickly grew to become the fifth-largest city in North America by the 1690s. Nestled on a stunning harbor where the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean, Charleston's beauty is matched only by the richness of its history. Known affectionately as "the Holy City" — a nod to the many magnificent church spires that grace its skyline — the city blends Southern charm with a vibrant, cosmopolitan energy

Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Today, Charleston is a world-class destination renowned for its well-preserved architecture, award-winning cuisine, and thriving arts scene Its warm climate, warm hospitality, and iconic waterfront setting make it the perfect backdrop for elite competition. Home to the Credit One Charleston Open, one of the premier Women's Tennis Association events on the tour, this city has proven itself a natural home for world-class tennis - where the grace and elegance of the sport feel right at home among the cobblestone streets and antebellum grandeur of one of America's most beloved cities.

Tourism

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Amanda Anisimova withdrew due to an injury she sustained in Miami, ( Amanda would have be the 2nd seed)


Wild cards,
Sloane Stephens
Bianca Andreescu
Paula Badosa
Jennifer Brady

 

[britbox]

Credit One Stadium Flythrough



Built in 2001, the Family Circle Tennis Center has 17 courts, including the 10,200-seat main stadium with Har-Tru green clay. The main stadium doubles up as a concert venue,

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some fun facts,
It is the first standalone WTA500 event to offer equal prize money in line with an ATP500 event.
It has been voted the WTA500 Tournament of the Year for four consecutive seasons (2022-2025) by the WTA player body confirming its high status among athletes.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Welcome back AF!

Clay my favorite time of the Year!

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

Two games only for Sloane, and bagelled in the second set.

 

[britbox]

Charleston Highlights - Day 2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alexandrova has withdrawn due to a lower back injury, Gorgodze comes in as LL to replace her

 

[britbox]

Charleston Highlights - Day 3

 

[britbox]

Charleston - Round of 16 Highlights

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

QFs,
Pegula (1) vs Shnaider (7)
Jovic (4) vs Kalinskaya (8)
Keys (5) vs Bencic (3)
Kessler vs Starodubtseva

 

[britbox]

Charleston QFs

Pegula d. Shnaider 3-6 6-3 6-2
Keys d. Bencic 4-6 6-3 6-2
Starodubtseva d. Kessler 6-4 6-4
Jovic d. Kalinskaya 6-3 6-4

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

SFs,
Saturday 3rd April,

Pegula (1) vs Jovic (4)
Keys (5) vs Starodubtseva

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jess Pegula tidied up her game, her serve got better and won the 1st set 64, Jovic made ufe on the big points, Pegula's experience in this 1st set was the difference.
Both players dominant on their service games in the 2nd set, and Pegula will serve to force a TB 5-6 in the 2nd set
Jovic with BPs and with a fhand winner wins the 2nd set 75
Going 3
Jovic has a good compact 1st serve, though she needs to work on her 2nd serve which is poor, Pegula is returning it with ease, Pegula one of the best returners in the womens game, though I like the way Jovic makes her way to the net,.when possible, Jovic down 1 break in the final set, did have a early break, Jess broke back, Jess broke again and consolidated her break
Pegula 4-3
On her 4th MP Pegula d Jovic 64 57 63 the Queen of 3 set matches, played the big points well, defending champion reaches the final will play either Keys or Starodubtseva
Well done on debut to 18 yo Jovic the young American played well this tournament, just a few things she needs to improve in her game, though there is a lot to like in her game.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW,
Tournament officials are starting the Womens Doubles and Womens Singles finals tomorrow Sunday 5th April earlier due to the weather forecast stating rain later in the afternoon.

Doubles final starts at 11am local time
Singles final starts at 1pm local time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yuliia Starodubtseva is serving for her first WTA final against Keys she took the 1st set 61 in great composure,making Keys playing another shot and ending in UFE, putting Madison in awkward positions on the court, game suits this court., plays well on the clay court.
Yuliia 5-3 was broken not easy trying to serve out to make your first final, just pushed a couple of shots
Keys 4-5 and will serve
Yuliia with 3 MPs and she wins the SF against Keys 61 64,
Well done Yuliia into your first WTA final!

 

[britbox]

SF Video Highlights from Charleston

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jess and Yuliia on court doing their warm up for the ladies final today
Jess won the toss and will receive
Jess got a early break and has consolidated
Jess 4-2
Yuliia too many UFE and Jess breaks and will serve for the 1st set 5-2
Pegula with a solid opening 1st set 62, Yuliia will need to address her UFE count in the 2nd set, 5 winners to 10 UFE, while Jess is playing within herself and taking the ball early from Yuliia.
Yuliia is taking a bathroom break.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jess breaks Yuliia that is 6 games in a row, Yuliia has a strong serve, but Jess is one of the best returners in the womens game and is returning her serve with ease
Pegula consolidates leads 2-0
Pegula is playing her best tennis in the final gets another break and leads 4-0, Yuliia has no answer today,
Great tennis from Jess and she leads 5-0
Jess gets broken while serving for the match at 5-0, lets see if Yuliia can get on the board in the 2nd set?
Yullia holds serve for the first time in the 2nd set
Jess will again serve for the match at 5-2
The Defending Champion Jess Pegula d Starodubtseva 62 62, a great display of tennis today, she lost a little bit of focus when she served for the match at 5-0, still Jess was pretty much flawless.
Well done to Yuliia for making her first WTA final, she wasnt allowed to show her best tennis today from Jess, , though she has a good solid game on the clay.Yuliia will be projected to be around #53 when the new rankings come out, well done!