Jessica Pegula sails to second straight Charleston Open title

Top-seeded Jessica Pegula repeated as Charleston Open champion with a solid 6-2, 6-2 victory in 82 minutes over Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine on Sunday.

Pegula saved seven of eight break points while converting 5 of 6 of her own break point opportunities. This is her second title of the season and 11th of her career, as she also won at Dubai in February.

Pegula, 32, leads the WTA with 24 victories this season, inching ahead of Aryna Sabalenka.

It was a breakthrough tournament for the 26-year-old Starodubtseva, who was placed into the main draw when another player withdrew. She posted five straight wins before struggling Sunday with 11 winners and a whopping 41 unforced errors. Her ranking will rise to a career-best No. 53 on Monday.