{"id":13195,"date":"2019-04-02T21:35:39","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T01:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=13195"},"modified":"2019-04-02T21:35:39","modified_gmt":"2019-04-03T01:35:39","slug":"wta-charleston-open-day-3-predictions-including-madison-keys-vs-tatjana-maria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2019\/04\/02\/wta-charleston-open-day-3-predictions-including-madison-keys-vs-tatjana-maria\/","title":{"rendered":"WTA Charleston Open Day 3 Predictions including Madison Keys vs Tatjana Maria"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On a cold and windy day Day 2 in Charleston, we watched the ladies fight through tough weather and tough matches. Rain delayed the start of the matches, leaving the green clay feeling more like chalk. Those first on the courts found sliding near impossible.\u00a0 Skidding, yes.\u00a0 Sliding, no!<\/p>\n<p>Amanda Anisimova\u2019s inexperience on clay combined with high unforced errors led to her loss to Petra Martic. And, the crowd was treated to Andrea Petkovic\u2019s worm dance thanks to her win over veteran player Vavara Lepchenko. Sloane Stephens found herself down 1-5 in the first set before finding her rhythm and regrouping to take the match, 7-6, 7-6, against Spain&#8217;s clay court savvy Sorribes Tormo. Now, who will push through Day 3?<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Allie Kiick vs Belinda Bencic<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Head to head:\u00a0 <\/strong>Kiick 0-1 Bencic<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/841035832\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/841035832?et=rzYEk4Q5RvJjSnSz2o-OzQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=aoifkxMQVFHtHT-3EBpNU14GSEyaRIhI7CnwBWk48d0=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It took a well-rested Belinda Bencic just 15 games to defeat Australia\u2019s rising star Destanee Aiava. The Swiss claimed six breaks of serve and gave back only one. It was Bencic\u2019s return of serve that allowed her take control of the court and the point. And, it sure didn&#8217;t hurt that she maintained a 73% first serve!<\/p>\n<p>Allie Kiick\u2019s first round nearly mirrored Bencic\u2019s success. Against Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier, Kiick had five breaks of serve and gave back only one. An astounding 82% first serve allowed her run away with her opening match 6-3, 6-0. The difference in the Bencic\/Kiick match-up will be who can take advantage of second serves \u2013 and that will handily go to the power, placement and prowess of the Swiss. While you can expect long rallies and some good defense from Kiick, a fit and rested Bencic should prove impossible to beat.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Bencic in 2<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Madison Keys vs Tatjana Maria<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Head to head:\u00a0 <\/strong>Keys 2-0 Maria<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1138063427\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1138063427?et=yQH1AuiwS1lKd4F2vEtMCw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=1yvUCP7Qd_qwrxVzgB_6xVGSa7eEzT6ry1wKu-WzkRU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Disappointing is the word Madison Keys used to describe her Sunshine Double results. Exited in the first round of those Premier Mandatory events surely diminished Keys\u2019 already faltering confidence. Granted, the American has shown past success in Charleston, but can her mired play take her to the final?<\/p>\n<p>Tatjana Maria may prove the immovable obstacle in her path. Certainly, the German will be ready to slice and dice, putting on full display her deft drop shots \u2013 all part of her unconventional and opponent frustrating game. Maddie will feel the same frustration Maria doled out to her compatriot Sloane Stevens in Miami. This frustration will lead to Keys\u2019 mistiming and mishitting her shots. Hopefully the spectators in row 12 will be ready to fend off those errant balls. Based on that, an upset is in the making.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Maria in 2<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Jessica Pegula vs Anastasija Sevastova<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Head to head:\u00a0 <\/strong>Pegula 0-1 Sevastova<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1137451910\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 77.10438% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1137451910?et=AuUaJxAsThZyt4PeWD3KYw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=YPren4aRDn2gG1VDVyvft_m-RAaR8EfDz9-CqNdVreA=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"458\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Anastasija Sevastova is the number four seed in this tournament, receiving a first round bye. The Latvian is a very accomplished and skilled player who\u2019s had a tough start to 2019, failing to make it past the second round of a tournament since the Australian Open. Adding to it, Sevastova has struggled with illness over the past few weeks, causing her to retire during her Indian Wells match less than a month ago. Health and form aside, she\u2019s been given a kind draw, opening play against Jessica Pegula.<\/p>\n<p>I won\u2019t be surprised if you don\u2019t know who Jessica Pegula is.\u00a0 Usually, her name appears in ITF and Challenger series draws. \u00a0Now she\u2019s into the second round of a WTA Premier level event, on a surface she doesn\u2019t favor, and tasked with taking on World #12. While she claimed victory in her first round, it was hard fought and she came through it on grit alone. Accordingly, we should find Pegula outplayed and out of Charleston. This match should handily go to Sevastova in two quick sets.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Sevastova in 2<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Aryna Sabalenka vs Kateryna Kozlova<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Head to head:\u00a0 <\/strong>Sabalenka 1-0 Kozlova<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1137602028\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1137602028?et=mwrt2KY1Rf5I7GsJ2Ppwhw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=b6d5uQaL32_O-A2kaJA-09-kKUaX79xTiEOcmC98mDg=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kateryna Kozlova has already put in a lot of time on the courts in Charleston. Two qualifying matches got the Ukranian into the main draw. Against first round opponent Kristyna Pliskova, she got through in straight sets. But, her serve was broke three times. That she could break Pliskova five times was what got her the win. Yet, against a formidable and in-form opponent such as Aryna Sabalenka, those break chances will be few and far between. It will be Sabalenka looking to capitalize on break points and use her power down the line to leave Kozlova befuddled. Her doubles-honed net skills will mitigate any drop shot attempts.\u00a0 Thus, this match should go to Sabalenka in straight sets.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Sabalenka in 2<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1137449895\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1137449895?et=DNGEx6BKRml0hm-9BdzxTg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=xWgY8fzzt1mfhZkUMcHT7D8NWPqhAZwP4nb19AGiRaU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On a cold and windy day Day 2 in Charleston, we watched the ladies fight through tough weather and tough matches. Rain delayed the start of the matches, leaving the green clay feeling more like chalk. Those first on the courts found sliding near impossible.\u00a0 Skidding, yes.\u00a0 Sliding, no! Amanda Anisimova\u2019s inexperience on clay combined [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1838,"featured_media":13201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2,69],"tags":[5200,3540,119,1766,266,3535,5233,63,2255,2369,5217],"class_list":["post-13195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wta","category-featured","category-predictions","tag-2019-volvo-car-open","tag-allie-kiick","tag-anastasija-sevastova","tag-aryna-sabalenka","tag-belinda-bencic","tag-jessica-pegula","tag-kateryna-kozlova","tag-madison-keys","tag-tatjana-maria","tag-tennis-predictions","tag-wta-charleston-predictions"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1838"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13195"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13195\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}