Jessica Pegula surpasses Elena Rybakina for most wins on WTA Tour in 2023

Jessica Pegula currently holds the record for most wins (22) in 2023, surpassing the in-form Elena Rybakina with her latest quarterfinal win against Paula Badosa at the Charleston Open.

Pegula is yet to bag a title this season, but the top-ranked American has had some scintillating deep runs across tournaments. Her best run came at the Qatar Open, where she lost the title to Iga Swiatek in the summit clash. She has also made it to the semifinals on two occasions, the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Miami Open.

Rybakina, meanwhile, won the Indian Wells and made appearances in the finals of the Australian Open and Miami Open. However, an underwhelming campaign in Adelaide constricted her from claiming some easy wins to add to her tally early in the season.

It is evident that Pegula's consistency is almost unmatched on tour, with the World No. 3 incessantly making it past the third round of tournaments. Apart from Indian Wells, the American has never failed to reach the quarterfinals in any competition in 2023.

Pegula even received praise from fellow players on tour for her consistency, with Belinda Bencic recently stating that the American is in the quarterfinals of "every single tournament."

"Jess [Pegula] is as solid as ever. I feel like she is in the quarterfinal in every single tournament, it's not even funny anymore," Bencic said on the Tennis Channel.

With Rybakina opting out of the Charleston Open, Pegula will hope to capitalize on the situation and expand her lead over the Kazakh.

Pegula will next face Bencic in the semifinals of the Charleston Open on Saturday (April 8).

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It's not easy to play against Jessica Pegula: Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula at the 2023 Miami Open

Jessica Pegula lost to Elena Rybakina when the two met on tour this season in the Miami Open semifinals. Coming off an impressive win over Martina Trevisan in the quarterfinals, Rybakina fought hard over two intense sets (7-6(3), 6-4) to get the better of the American.

Speaking to the press after the match, Rybakina had nothing but praise for her opponent. She opined that Pegula is a tough opponent to beat, considering she always keeps the ball low, which is difficult to redirect.

"Jessica, she played really well some moments," Rybakina said. "It's not easy to play against her because she keeps the ball really low, and it's difficult to redirect the ball," Rybakina stated.

The duo have faced each other on two other occasions on tour. Jessica Pegula emerged victorious in both encounters -- a second-round win at the 2022 Guadalajara Open and a third-round win at the Miami Open earlier that year.