With the completion of the second round, matches get more intense and close in the third round, and fans can expect some thrillers. This article features former champion and #5 seed Madison Keys and #4 seed Iva Jovic. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
WTA Charleston Day 4 Predictions
Yuliia Starodubtseva vs Renata Zarazua
Head-to-Head: first meeting
World No.89 Yuliia Starodubtseva is playing some high-quality tennis and has now won back-to-back main draw matches for the second tournament in a row. She is playing with a lot of confidence, which helped her overcome a set deficit against Ekaterine Gorgodze in the second round. I think she has a winnable match in the third round against Renata Zarazua, and I will back her to do so.
Prediction: Starodubtseva in 3
Iva Jovic vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Iva Jovic made her Charleston Open debut with a rock-solid performance. She was solid in all aspects of her game and did not give any momentum to her opponent, Alycia Parks. Sofia Kenin defeated wild card Bianca Andreescu in the second round to snap her eight-match losing streak. This was a much-needed win for the former Australian Open champion, but her form is nowhere near challenging a confident player like Jovic.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-Head: Kalinskaya 0-1 Badosa
#8 seed Anna Kalinskaya is into the third round after a solid performance against Viktoriya Tomova, who was able to win just 22% of points behind her second serve. Kalinskaya will be eyeing her third consecutive quarterfinal appearance at this tournament, and I like her chances against Paula Badosa, who played one of her best matches in recent times to beat Maria Sakkari but is still not quite at her best.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Madison Keys vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Madison Keys had a terrible Sunshine Double for her standards, but she has made a great start here. The expectations from Keys are not as high as it was at the beginning of the season, which should help her play more freely and showcase her best tennis. She is a former champion here and a good clay courter. Anna Bondar will fight till the end, but this match will be decided on Keys’ racquet. I will back the #5 seed to get the win.
Prediction: Keys in 3
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