Defending champion Jessica Pegula battles on to edge Iva Jovic & reach Charleston final

[p]American top seed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pegula-jessica/KdojxrAR/"]Pegula[/a], who has been taken to three sets in each of her four matches in Charleston this week, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/jovic-i-bmWvBlnL/pegula-j-KdojxrAR/?mid=lCGtDv8m"]finally wrapped up victory in 2hr 35min[/a] when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jovic-iva/bmWvBlnL/"]Jovic[/a] pulled a forehand return wide.[/p][p]The 32-year-old from New York will face the winner of Saturday's other semi-final between fifth seed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/keys-madison/QwU996PK/"]Madison Keys[/a] or unseeded Ukrainian [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/starodubtsewa-yulia/GlqMuuhi/"]Yuliia Starodubtseva[/a] in Sunday's final.[/p][p]World number five Pegula will be chasing her second title of the season on Sunday after her victory in Dubai in February.[/p][embed guid="251bc04d-3232-4740-9368-b2865dcbb78a" url="https://x.com/WTA/status/2040517253037183205" social-type="twitter" /][p]The American admitted after Saturday's latest three-setter that she has become used to taking the scenic route as she has advanced through the rounds in Charleston.[/p][p]"[b]When I won the first set today I thought 'Oh man, I have such a great chance to not go to three'. I was like 'Maybe I'll get it done in two today[/b]'," Pegula told the Tennis Channel.[/p][p]"[b]I'd love some straight sets victories -- that would be nice. But a win's a win. If I'm gonna win every match for the rest of my life, but it's three sets, I'll take the three sets[/b]."[/p]