ATP/WTA: First time feeling for Pegula, Brooksby and Cobolli

Pegula's full circle moment

With Roland-Garros right around the corner, it's not a bad time for a key contender to scoop a maiden clay title. Well, that's what American No.1 Jessica Pegula did on Sunday.

"It’s really special winning in a place that means so much to me," posted Pegula on Instagram, having just won the Charleston Open.

The Buffalo (New York) born Pegula counts the green clay courts of Charleston as the closest site to 'home courts,' after developing her game just a car ride away from the tournament as a youngster.

Fast forward to 2025 and the 31-year-old is in a serious purple patch of form and clinched her latest silverware with a 6-3, 7-5 scoreline over fellow-American Sofia Kenin.

Pegula was 1-5 down in the second set, but stormed back to secure a second title of the season and a tour-leading 25th victory of the campaign.

"To be able to come here this week after a long two weeks in Miami and take the title is just incredible," said Pegula, who has won 17 of her past 19 matches.

"In the second set, I just wanted to hold, I just wanted to tell myself to get momentum for the third, because coming into a third like that never feels good. I honestly didn't think I was going to break her twice, but luckily I could play some good tennis."

Replacing Coco Gauff as world No.3 on Monday, Pegula has climbed to a career-high ranking. 

Over in Bogota, home hero Camila Osorio defeated qualifier Katarzyna Kawa 6-3, 6-3 to retain her crown and post a hat-trick of titles at the Colombian event.

Brooksby battles back from the brink

Talk about earning your first ATP title.

American Jenson Brooksby entered the Houston Open as a qualifying wild-card, saved match point in three contests along the way, before dispatching 2023 champion Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2 with a blockbuster showing on Sunday.

“Thank you to my team. All the way from qualifying, match point down,” said the 24-year-old during the on-court trophy presentation. “That’s pretty intense, so thanks for sticking with it, every match, every day here for me. The support has been amazing since Round one of qualifying. Thank you, everybody. I’ve loved the support here and it’s great to be back in Texas.”

It's been quite the journey for the American in recent years. Brooksby shot to prominence by peaking at No.33 in 2022, but has since had arthroscopic surgery on both wrists (2023) and returned to the tour this year after serving a 13-month ban for three doping test 'whereabouts' failures across a 12-month stint. Last December, Brooksby also revealed an autism diagnosis.

From No.507, Brooksby became the third lowest-ranked ATP champion ever and jets up to world No.172 following his astonishing run on home clay.

Italian feel good factor on full display

The green, white and red of Italy were celebrating a duel triumph over the weekend as Flavio Cobolli and Luciano Darderi were hailed champions.

Cobolli headed to Romania on an eight-match losing streak, but left Bucharest with his first ATP trophy.

In the title match the gregarious 22-year-old required seven championship points to eventually fend off Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-4.

“I feel great. I feel happy. It’s a big dream come true for my career,” said Cobolli. “I always dreamed of winning an ATP tournament and it has happened today. I’m really happy to be here and to have reached my best result ever. I came from a tough moment. I had not won a match, before this tournament, this year, and I won the tournament. So I’m really happy about it."

Darderi held his nerve to edge past top seed Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(3), 7-6(4) over in Marrakech to add to his Cordoba 2024 silverware success.

“The past months were really difficult for me, but I fought every day for this moment,” said Darderi. “It is my second title. My first time in Marrakech, it’s an amazing place… Tallon is an amazing player. You never know what’s going to happen. It was a really difficult match, but I’m really happy about today."