The second day of the 2022 WTA Credit One Charleston Open features all the remaining Round 1 matches, but also a few next-round clashes. 2019 champion Madison Keys will kick off her campaign against Norwegian qualifier Ulrikke Eikeri. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Charleston Day 2 Predictions
Lauren Davis vs Mariam Bolkvadze
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lauren Davis reached the quarterfinals at Charleston back in 2015 and clearly enjoys the green clay conditions. The American hasn’t been spectacular lately, but took advantage of an opening in the draw to reach the third round at Miami. Mariam Bolkvadze hasn’t played in a month, mostly competing on the ITF Circuit this year. Davis won’t peak out of nowhere, but she generally never goes beyond a certain level and wins the matches she’s expected to take.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Madison Brengle vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Speaking of players who are limited but quite tough to play against, Madison Brengle hasn’t really been losing lately unless she was blown off the court. She’s facing the 20-year-old Emma Navarro here, the 2021 NCAA champion and 2019 Roland Garros juniors runner-up. The talented youngster won the only title of her professional career on green clay and definitely knows how to handle these courts. However, Brengle is usually a brutal matchup for someone whose baseline game is not quite WTA Tour material yet.
Prediction: Brengle in 3
Coco Vandeweghe vs Anastasia Gasanova
Head-to-head: Gasanova 1-0
Coco Vandeweghe has never been much of a factor on clay courts and her qualifying loss to Gabriela Lee showed no improvement in that regard. The American advanced to the main draw as a lucky loser though and will try to exact revenge on Anastasia Gasanova, who beat her at the French Open last year. Her opponent has only won two matches in eight events this year so far and will be starting her clay season with this match. Plenty of playtime in qualifying could actually help Vandeweghe here. It’s a great opportunity for both, but the quality will likely be subpar.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Madison Keys vs Ulrikke Eikeri
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s been a great effort from Ulrikke Eikeri to qualify for the main draw and make the second round, including a very heavy upset over Heather Watson. The Norwegian has lots of consistent depth from the baseline but this is a matchup that won’t be on her racket. Madison Keys won this event three years ago and while her hard-hitting often lacks consistency, even on clay her peak is basically unlimited. The 27-year-old should have the freedom to do whatever she wants in the rallies here and unless she has a really bad day at the office, that should mean bad news for Eikeri.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
