Pegula Rallies Past Putintseva in Charleston Open Thriller

Jessica Pegula, the top-seeded defending champion, overcame a grueling challenge from Yulia Putintseva to advance in the second round of the Credit One Charleston Open on Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina. The American rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory in a three-hour marathon marked by 37 break points, converting seven of her 18 opportunities while Putintseva saved six of 19.

Pegula, ranked No. 1, faced early difficulties adjusting to the green clay surface after a strong hard-court season that included quarterfinal runs at Indian Wells and Miami. Putintseva, from Kazakhstan and ranked 72nd, controlled the first set with varied shots, including high loopy balls, slices and drop shots that exploited shadows and wind on the court. Pegula admitted to a moment of panic early in the second set. "I felt like nothing was working," she said in a Tennis Channel interview. "I knew the patterns she was playing against me, but I couldn't quite solve it." She credited improved returns and more aggressive play for turning the match, though her serving struggled, marking her worst performance of the year on that front.

The 30-year-old Pegula, who has reached two Grand Slam semifinals...