Jeff Hartsell, Post and Courier Journalist Profile

Articles

Top seed wins all-American battle at Charleston Open final

2 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

At various stages this week, Jessica Pegula seemed on the brink of elimination at the Credit One Charleston Open. But nobody could ever quite push her over the edge. The top-seeded Pegula staged a third straight comeback to claim the Charleston Open title on Sunday at Credit One Stadium, knocking off fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5.
Charleston Open owner: Tournament will double prize money to equal men

2 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

The Credit One Charleston Open will double its prize money next year to more than $2 million, matching the purse at similar tournaments on the men’s pro tennis tour. Charleston Open Ben Navarro made the announcement on April 6, the final day of a record-breaking week for the largest women’s-only tournament in North America.
No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula reaches Charleston Open final

2 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

It will be an all-American final in the Credit One Charleston Open on Sunday. U.S. star Jessica Pegula, the winningest tennis player on the WTA Tour this year, clawed her way into the final with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova on Saturday at Credit One Stadium. “It took everything I had,” Pegula told a huge crowd on Daniel Island.
Top seed rallies to defeat defending champion at Charleston Open

2 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

Danielle Collins was just four games and seemingly a few minutes from one of the biggest wins of her career on Friday at the Charleston Open. The defending Charleston champ was up a set and 2-0 against top-seeded Jessica Pegula, on the verge of snapping an 0-5 career record against Pegula and advancing to the semifinals on Daniel Island. That would keep alive her bid to become the first player to defend the Charleston title since tennis legend Serena Williams in 2012-13.
It's the elite eight for Emma: Navarro rallies to reach Charleston Open quarterfinals

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

The hometown crowd cheered her through the tough spots, clapping and shouting ‘C’mon Emma!” at crucial junctures. The net cord at Credit One Stadium did its part as well, gifting the hometown favorite three helpful points. But Charleston’s Emma Navarro also had to find something from within to gut out a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 15 seed Ashlyn Krueger and advance to the final eight of the Credit One Charleston Open on April 3 on Daniel Island.
Emma Navarro is unbreakable in opening win at Credit One Charleston Open

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

Hailey Baptiste tried everything she could think of — a behind-the-back volley, a running tweener, a blazing 121-mph second serve. None of it shook the implacable Emma Navarro. With a hometown crowd cheering her on at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, the 11th-ranked Navarro opened her sixth Credit One Charleston Open with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the 90th-ranked Baptiste.
Defending Charleston Open champion Danielle Collins prevails

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

Danielle Collins has lifted a trophy at the end of the Credit One Charleston Open each of the last two years. Her chances of lifting a third trophy this week appear pretty fair after she rolled through her opening match on April 1 at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. The 31-year-old Collins, who won back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston last year to highlight a career season, cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win over 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery, making her first appearance in Charleston.
Keys returns to Charleston as a newlywed, and new Grand Slam champ

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

Having played in Charleston 11 times since 2013, tennis star Madison Keys had plenty of time to scout out the Lowcountry as a wedding venue. “It’s always been one of my favorite places to come to,” she said March 31 at the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island. “I mean, I love the food, the city, all of the history.
Navarro now among the hunted on WTA Tour

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

Donning the local traditional headwear can be a price of victory on the WTA Tour. Take Charleston’s Emma Navarro, for example. After she won her second career singles title four weeks ago at the Merida Open in Mexico, Navarro gamely put on a bejeweled blue sombrero for the trophy ceremony. “I feel a little ridiculous saying anything in this hat right now,” Navarro told the crowd. “But I love it.”Another price of victory on Tour can be an ever-growing target on your back.
US players on rise heading into Credit One Charleston Open

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Jeff Hartsell

In 2003, Charleston tennis star Emma Navarro was 2 years old. The Credit One Charleston Open, which celebrates 25 years on Daniel Island this week, was still known as the Family Circle Cup and had just moved to Charleston two years earlier. And 2003 is the year that the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge was opened, replacing the old Cooper River bridges connecting Charleston and Mount Pleasant.