It promises to be an entertaining day of tennis at the WTA Charleston Open with four intriguing matches on the slate in South Carolina and plenty of motivation for the eight players left in contention. After all, the French Open is looming increasingly large on the horizon. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all four matches, but who will reach Saturday’s semifinals?
WTA Charleston Quarterfinal Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Bencic 3-3 Alexandrova
Belinda Bencic and Ekaterina Alexandrova are familiar with each other’s game. They will look to break a 3-3 head-to-head split when they square off in the Charleston quarterfinals. Alexandrova won their most recent meeting two weeks ago in Miami, but Bencic beat her in Charleston last year. Not much separates these two in their current forms, and I believe we are set up for a very tight match. Bencic should have the slightest edge because her game is that much more secure on the clay. She has the patience and rally tolerance to allow Alexandrova to hit herself out of the match.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
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Madison Keys vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-head: Keys 8-1 Kasatkina
Madison Keys has dominated the head-to-head against Daria Kasatkina. The American has won eight of their nine encounters, with seven of those wins coming in straight sets. Not much separates Keys and Kasatkina in their current forms. That said, there comes a point when you have been dominated in a matchup so often that it wears on you mentally. Keys should be able to use the crowd to her advantage and take control of this match from the start.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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Ons Jabeur vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Jabeur 1-0 Kalinskaya
After a slow start to 2023, Ons Jabeur is looking to flip the script during the clay season. She is off to a hot start and has yet to drop a set in Charleston, though Anna Kalinskaya comes into this match playing terrific tennis. The 24-year-old has defeated two top 30 players this week and has shown a growth in confidence on the clay. That said, Jabeur has worked out of her slump and is getting close to her end-of-2022 form. Expect the second seed to dictate this match from the baseline and walk away with a straight-set victory.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
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Jessica Pegula vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-0 Badosa
Top seed Jessica Pegula is on the hunt for her first WTA singles title on home soil since 2019. Her game has improved on clay, but it will be tested against Paula Badosa. Despite holding her lowest ranking in 22 months, Badosa remains a force on the clay. The Spaniard has won nearly 70 percent of her clay-court WTA matches and has a terrific opportunity to renter the top 20 over the next eight weeks. This match will be all about who can find their rhythm. Pegula will likely to try and crowd the baseline and put pressure on Badosa. This match should go the distance, but expect the top seed to find a way to win it.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
