Pegula, Keys advance to Credit One Charleston Open semifinals

Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys both advanced to the Credit One Charleston Open semifinals after three-set victories on green clay.

Pegula, the defending champion and top seed, rallied from a set and a break down to beat Diana Shnaider 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The win continued a strong Charleston run for Pegula and sent her into a semifinal against Iva Jovic.

Keys also had to work for her place in the last four. The No. 5 seed and 2019 Charleston champion defeated Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to book a semifinal meeting with Yuliia Starodubtseva.

The two American wins gave Charleston a familiar look at the business end of the draw, with both players drawing on their past success at the event. Pegula and Keys have each won the tournament before, and both needed comeback efforts to get there this time.

Official tournament and WTA coverage said both matches were completed on April 3, setting up Saturday semifinal play at one of the WTA Tour's signature clay events.

The result leaves two former Charleston champions one match away from the title match, after a day that underscored their experience on the surface.