There are plenty of exciting first-round matchups on the Day 1 schedule of the 2023 WTA Credit One Charleston Open. 2009 champion Sabine Lisicki has qualified and takes on Caroline Dolehide, while Anna Kalinskaya plays Anhelina Kalinina. As always, we also predict the rest of the day’s matches. We split them between this and three other articles. One features Elina Svitolina vs Yulia Putintseva, the second highlights Sloane Stephens vs Louisa Chirico, and the third features Jil Teichmann vs Linda Fruhvirtova. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Charleston Day 1 Predictions
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Dalma Galfi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Irina-Camelia Begu has had some very consistent results on the green clay in Charleston, making three quarterfinals and two third rounds in five appearances. The Romanian is an expert clay courter usually known for her achievements on the red dirt, but she clearly enjoys these pretty unique conditions as well. She should have a good shot at progressing at Dalma Galfi, who started her season a week earlier but at high altitude in San Luis Potosi, which isn’t a perfect way to prepare.
Prediction: Begu in 2
Sabine Lisicki vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sabine Lisicki has been attempting to come back to the top level for many years now and it’s unclear whether she’ll ever be able to do it. For what it’s worth, the German is actually 9-2 in 2023, having made the semifinals at an ITF event in Orlando. She qualified here with wins over Yuriko Miyazaki and Katarzyna Kawa. Perhaps it’s just nostalgia or the fact that she won this tournament back in 2009, but it seems like she might actually keep going. Caroline Dolehide has generally struggled to produce her best tennis in Charleston.
Prediction: Lisicki in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: Kalinina 2-1
Anhelina Kalinina had a great run in Charleston last year, losing in the quarterfinals to Ons Jabeur. Her form probably isn’t as good this time, but maybe she’ll manage to play herself into it with this first match. Anna Kalinskaya is a very tricky opponent and on a good day, the Russian is capable of giving a tough time to the very best. Her records on clay in recent years have been pretty terrible though, so Kalinina remains the favorite.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
