Pegula Stages Dramatic Comeback from 1-4 Third-Set Hole vs. Cocciaretto in Charleston
Pegula Nearly Crumbles Against Cocciaretto at Charleston But Fights Back to Reach Quarterfinals
Jessica Pegula has had to dig deep since the start of the week at the WTA 500 in Charleston. After a grueling win in her opener against Yulia Putintseva, the world No. 5 came perilously close to elimination in the round of 16 just hours ago.
Facing Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who upset Pegula in the first round of Wimbledon last year, the American trailed 4-1 in the third set before turning the tables.
The defending champion has thus slipped through for now, and will face Diana Shnaider for a spot in the semifinals. In her press conference, this season's Dubai WTA 1000 champion reflected on her performance against the in-form Italian, who notably defeated Coco Gauff in Doha last February.
"I changed rackets and felt like I found my groove better"
"At the start, I felt like I really didn't know what I was doing on court—it wasn't going well at all. On clay, if you start slowly, you can quickly lose control. You don't get many easy, quick points like on a fast hard court.
Then I started serving really well, taking control of her returns, and putting pressure on her serve. I changed rackets and felt like I found my groove better.
Next, we changed balls, and I started finding my rhythm. I managed to get through a tough service game at the end and stay composed. She had crushed me at Wimbledon, so that match was still fresh in my mind.
"I play better when I don't let myself get carried away by my emotions"
But I've won a lot of matches lately, so I always feel like I'm in the mix. I know I'll have my chances. Sometimes you just have to wait for the right moment. You just have to keep putting yourself in the best position possible," assured Pegula, who then discussed her mindset regarding coaching.
"Sometimes I say: 'Can you stop talking to me, please?' Other times, they tell me something, I try it, and it really works. My coach told me: 'Stop drop shotting,' and then I missed one when I could have broken her.
I just looked at him like: 'What am I doing?', and he buried his face in his cap. I don't like too much encouragement—it can make me nervous.
I play better when I stay calm and don't let myself get too carried away by my emotions. Maybe on an important point, a little support is a good thing, but not too much," Pegula concluded for Tennis Up To Date.
