“I’m just trying to keep this train rolling,” an ecstatic Danielle Collins said last year, after winning her second straight WTA title of 2024. At the Charleston Open, she outplayed Daria Kasatkina in the final encounter, beating her in straight sets with a score line of 6-2, 6-1. Danimal is back at this WTA event again this week, and she seems to be well on track to defend her title. However, standing in her way in the quarterfinals is a familiar face. World No.4 Jessica Pegula, coming off an impressive final run in Miami last week, will be up against her compatriot in the Round of 8. Who is likely to have the last laugh on Friday?
Danielle Collins v Jessica Pegula: Preview
Danielle Collins’ 2025 season hasn’t been impressive so far. Back in January, she began the year with an early exit at the Adelaide International after losing to Ons Jabeur in R32. At the Australian Open, she seemed in good touch until the third round, where the eventual champion and Danimal’s compatriot Madison Keys ousted her. Last month, during the Indian Wells, she witnessed another early exit after crashing out in R32 against Elina Svitolina.
Even at the Miami Open, where she was the champion last season, Collins failed to shine. Eventual winner and World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka ousted her in straight sets, in R16, with a score line of 6-4, 6-4. However, at the Charleston Open, Collins has maintained a steady campaign so far. In the opening match, she eliminated compatriot Robin Montgomery with a score line of 6-3, 6-1. Then in the R16, Danimal beat Jelena Ostapenko with a score line of 7-5, 6-3.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 8, 2024 Danielle Collins of the U.S. reacts during her fourth round match against Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova REUTERS/Matthew Childs
Speaking of Danima’s QF opponent in Charleston, Jessica Pegula has been in fine form this season. She began her journey with an impressive run at the Adelaide International, where she managed to enter the final. Unfortunately, compatriot Madison Keys outplayed her in the final to win the trophy. In the Australian Open, Pegula couldn’t do much as she was ousted by Olga Danilovic of Serbia with a straight-set defeat in the third round. But the American made a solid return shortly thereafter, reaching the QF of the Qatar Open before losing to Ekaterina Alexandrova.
After failing to impress in Dubai, with a R16 exit, Pegula bounced back in style again. At the ATX Open in Austin, she won her first WTA title of this season, defeating compatriot McCartney Kessler with a score line of 7-5, 6-2 in the final. In the Indian Wells, however, Pegula couldn’t move past R16 as Elina Svitolina toppled her with a score line of 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. But Pegula found her form soon at the Miami Open. With her best run in the event, she reached the title clash before losing to the World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
At the Charleston Open, Pegula is looking promising again. In her opening match against Iryna Shymanovich, she dominated the battle with a score line of 6-0, 6-3, before ousting Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3,6-2 to make it to the quarterfinals.
Collins vs Pegula: Head-to-Head
Danielle Collins and Jessica Pegula have faced each other five times so far. And, Pegula has dominated the H2H. The 30-year-old hasn’t lost a single match against Collins in her career so far.
2023 Roland Garros R128: Pegula 6-4, 6-2
2023 Miami Open R32: Pegula 6-1, 7-6
2021 Montreal R16: Pegula 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
2016 Charlottesville R16: Pegula 6-4, 6-3
2012 Midland (Qualifying) R1: Pegula 6-1, 6-2
Prediction: Jessica Pegula to win in straight sets
Jessica Pegula clearly has an edge over Danielle Collins, both historically and in terms of recent form. The World No.4 has won 22 of her 28 matches in 2025, compared to Danielle Collins‘ record of 7-4. When it comes to their history in the Charleston Open, Pegula has made a deep run in Charleston twice in the past. In her last three appearances in the event (2022, 2023, and 2024), she reached the R16 once, followed by back-to-back semifinal campaigns. Collins, on the other hand, has done slightly better in Charleston, given that she is currently the defending champion in this tournament.
Talking about their playing styles, Collins is generally strong with her aggressive and powerful baseline game. Not to mention her solid kick serve, combined with an inside-out forehand. She can also hit a double-handed backhand at times. Pegula, on the other hand, is renowned for her smart, tactical play on the court. She’s got effective groundstrokes alongside the ability to cover the court seamlessly. Oh, and her down-the-line backhand shot is one to watch out for as well. She uses it to dictate rallies.
Collins will have to be at her best if she wants to keep her Charleston campaign alive. Considering the overall form and a clear domination in h2h encounters, Jessica Pegula is likely to emerge victorious on Friday in straight sets.
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