Tuesday features another packed schedule at the 2023 WTA Credit One Charleston Open. Can Ons Jabeur grab a much-needed victory as she takes on in-form Lesia Tsurenko? Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Charleston Day 2 Predictions
Claire Liu vs Bernarda Pera
Head-to-head: Pera 1-0
This is one of the low-key highlights of the opening round. Both women are excellent on clay and have had runs in Charleston in the past–Bernarda Pera was a quarterfinalist here five years ago; Claire Liu made the third round in 2022. Expect quality, although it might be a bit weaker given it’s the first dirt match of the season for either. Pera’s lefty topspin should be tough to handle on these courts, but it’s definitely close.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Marie Bouzkova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: Bucsa 1-0
When Marie Bouzkova loses in 2023 so far, it’s often a blowout loss, but it’s usually to a very high-quality power player. Cristina Bucsa doesn’t quite make it into that category, although she’s certainly capable on her day and gave her opponent just six games at an ITF event four years ago. On the green clay in Charleston, Bouzkova should be able to eventually draw enough errors out of her and exact revenge.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Xiyu Wang vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: First meeting
The 3-7 win-loss record in 2023 is probably a little bit unrepresentative of where Xiyu Wang is with her tennis at the moment. She can’t really complain about her draw here, but on the other hand, she’ll be facing an opponent with plenty of clay experience this year already (even on the green version). Wang has the stronger upside, but Hailey Baptiste did very well in the qualifying draw and probably won’t go down without a fight.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 1-0
Ons Jabeur really needs a win right now, but one needs to wonder if she’s already fully fit by now. Lesia Tsurenko has, coincidentally, also struggled with that part of the game this year, but when she’s playing she’s been in fantastic form, grabbing her 21st win already by giving just two games to Paula Ormaechea on Monday. This matchup and the surface they’re playing on should give Jabeur plenty of time to work her magic, but she’ll need to be sharper than she was during the Sunshine Double.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
