There are eight matches on the slate on day four at the WTA Charleston Open and, as always, we here at LWOT have every match covered in our daily predictions, including Madison Keys vs Magda Linette. But who will secure their place in the quarterfinals in South Carolina?
WTA Charleston Day 4 Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: first meeting
Azarenka returned to Charleston for the first time in over a decade. But she never missed a beat as knocked out former champion Sloane Stephens in three sets. Next up is Anna Kalinskaya who came through a topsy-turvy three-setter of her own against Alize Cornet that lasted over three hours. The Russian is a top talent and accounted for an odds-defying win by taking down clay-court expert Anhelina Kalinina in the first round. But it’s not certain she will able to handle Azarenka’s weight of shot and, utlimately, the Belusian is the more accomplished and steadier all-round player.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
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Ons Jabeur vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: Jabeur 1-0 Dolehide
Jabeur has set herself lofty expectations such that the first quarter of the season can be viewed as a complete disappointment. Jabeur was adamant she rushed to action after undergoing minor surgery to her knee, but she looks ready to get the bit between her teeth on clay. Her opponent Caroline Dolehide authored the upset of Czech teenager star Linda Fruhvirtova. Jabeur’s preferred pick would have been the American wild card. She delivered an absolute thrashing in their only career meeting as teenagers seven years ago on clay. Expect another routine win for the Tunisian trailblazer.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
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Jessica Pegula vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Head-to-head: Begu 2-1 Pegula
Jessica Pegula has unfinished business in Charleston. Back before she rose to prominence, she would falter in the qualifying stages. But now she is a fully-fledged top-tier athlete. And she lived up to the billing in her first match this week, swatting aside Russia’s Anna Blinkova for the loss of two games. Irina-Camelia Begu has enjoyed hard-court success against the American before but lost their French Open bout last year in three sets. The Romanian can be a pesky customer with her uncanny ability to weather through the storm. But she doesn’t have the firepower to hit through the world #3.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Belinda Bencic vs Shelby Rogers
Head-to-head: Bencic 5-1 Rogers
Belinda Bencic’s title defense got off to the perfect start as she cruised past Katherine Sebov 6-0 6-3. Rogers, meanwhile, defeated a second countrywoman in as many days, fighting back to knock out Caty McNally 6-7 7-5 6-1. Historically, this has been a difficult matchup for Rogers who has hardly laid a glove on the Swiss in recent matches. It is absolutely imperative she wins the first set here to stand a chance of taking down the defending champion. Since making her main draw debut as a 17-year-old in 2014, Bencic has made herself more at home in the friendly confines of Charleston. And she has always raised her level up a notch. She will need to replicate that against a dangerous floater.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
