The quarterfinals at the Credit One WTA Charleston Open have all the ingredients for a memorable day on the green clay. Iva Jovic rides a wave of home support into her last-eight clash, two former champions in Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic are on a collision course, and defending title holder Jessica Pegula looks to remind everyone why she owns this tournament. The surface rewards patience and punishes mistakes — and at this stage, there is no margin for any. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule. But who will advance?

WTA Charleston Quarterfinal Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Diana Shnaider

Head-to-Head: Pegula 2–0 Shnaider 

Pegula, the top seed and defending champion, has looked sharp and steady all week, using her consistency and smart court positioning to wear down opponents. Shnaider is a strong ball-striker with good recent results, but Pegula’s experience on these courts and ability to keep the ball deep should frustrate the Russian. The American’s clay title here last year shows she knows how to close out important moments on green clay.

Prediction: Pegula in 2 

McCartney Kessler vs Yuliia Starodubtseva

Head-to-Head: Kessler leads 1–0 Starodubtseva 

Kessler has battled well to reach the quarterfinal, showing fight and consistency from the baseline after some tough three-set wins. Starodubtseva earned her place with gritty performances and has occasional success on clay, but Kessler’s more consistent aggressive style over the past year and better recent results give her the tools to control the longer points. She should have enough variety and fitness to pull ahead.

Prediction: Kessler in 2

Iva Jovic vs Anna Kalinskaya

Head-to-Head: First meeting

The young American Jovic, seeded fourth, has looked strong in her Charleston debut. She eased past Alycia Parks in straight sets and brings serious momentum from a big hard-court season, including an Australian Open quarterfinal run. This is her first full clay swing, and she has been working hard to improve her movement and sliding on the surface. Kalinskaya, the eighth seed, started her clay season with a comfortable win over Victoria Tomova and Paula Badosa and has reached the quarterfinals here before. She moves well and hits cleanly from the baseline. Jovic’s recent confidence, athleticism, and ability to vary her game should help her handle the longer rallies and take control on this slower green clay.

Prediction: Jovic in 3

Madison Keys vs Belinda Bencic

Head-to-Head: Keys leads 3–2 Bencic 

Keys, the fifth seed and a former champion here, brings powerful groundstrokes and big-match experience. She has looked dangerous when finding her rhythm this season. Bencic, seeded third and a past winner in Charleston, moves beautifully on clay and has been in solid form, including strong hard-court results leading into the clay swing. Their matchups are usually close, but Bencic’s extra comfort and variety on this surface should let her dictate play more often.

Prediction: Bencic in 3

Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images