Main draw action commences on Monday at the WTA Credit One Charleston Open. The traditional clay court season opener, the only tour level event played on green clay. A matchup between Ana Konjuh and Linda Fruhvirtova looms as one of the matches of the day, who will come out on top? We also have predictions for matches featuring Petra Kvitova.
WTA Charleston Day 1 Predictions
Ulrikke Eikeri vs Nadia Kichenok
H2H: First meeting.
Eikeri and Kichenok both managed to move through the qualifying draw in Charleston. Eikeri’s 6-4 6-4 win over the top seeded Heather Watson was especially noteworthy. Kichenok is playing singles for the first time in over a year, her first singles event on clay since 2019. Eikeri is the logical choice in this matchup, she is battle hardened on this surface and coming off one of her best wins in recent times.
Prediction: Eikeri in 2.
Jasmine Paolini vs Gabriela Lee
H2H: First meeting.
Gabriela Lee spends the majority of her time at the lower ITF level. The Romanian did well to get through the qualifying draw in Charleston but is highly likely to be outclassed by Jasmine Paolini in her main draw debut. Paolini is clearly a class above and should be solid enough to make the most of this favourable opening round matchup.
Prediction: Paolini in 2.
Arianne Hartono vs Anna Bondar
H2H: 1-1.
Anna Bondar ended 2021 with some strong results on the clay. Bondar won 3 titles in a row, a pair at the ITF level and one at the WTA 125k level. Followed by another runner-up finish at the 125k level, leaving the Hungarian at a career high ranking.
It will be interesting to see the results Bondar can produce on the regular tour during the clay court season. She should be strong enough to move past Hartono in her Charleston opener. Hortono’s results on clay are generally unimpressive, suggesting she will struggle in this matchup. Hortono did beat Bondar on clay late last season, but that was at the very end of Bondar’s strong run when she was out of gas.
Prediction: Bondar in 2.
Ana Konjuh vs Linda Fruhvirtova
H2H: First meeting.
Ana Konjuh’s recent form is so disappointing that she heads into her Charleston opener against 16-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova as a marginal favourite at best.
Konjuh is on a 4-match losing streak and has lost 6 of her last 8 matches. Meanwhile Fruhvirtova arrives in Charleston fresh from the best result of her young career as she recorded wins over Danka Kovinic, Elise Mertens, and Victoria Azarenka to reach the fourth round in Miami.
It’s hard to know what to expect in this matchup, just about anything is possible. A lot depends on Konjuh’s level, anything close to her best will be too good. I’ll give Konjuh the benefit of the doubt, her results on clay were quite strong last season and I sense she is due for some better results.
Prediction: Konjuh in 3.
Main Photo from Getty.
