Wednesday’s second-round action at the WTA Credit One Charleston Open features several seeded players stepping onto the green clay after byes. With the slower surface rewarding steady movement and baseline consistency, early rhythm and how well each player adapts could decide these matches. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule. But who will advance?
WTA Charleston Day 3 Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-Head: Sakkari 2–1 Badosa
Badosa looked solid in her first-round win over Kayla Day, steadying herself after a slow start to close it out. Sakkari comes in fresh with a first-round bye and has shown good baseline power throughout 2026. Their head-to-head favors the Greek, including an edge on clay. Sakkari’s heavy groundstrokes should help her control the longer rallies that often develop here, giving her a slight advantage in a potential three-set battle.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Yue Yuan vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-Head: Cocciaretto 1–0 Yuan
Cocciaretto arrives with strong momentum after winning the Hobart title earlier this season and carries a higher ranking. Their only previous meeting was a tight three-setter that went to the Italian. Yuan battled through qualifying as a lucky loser and then beat Mayar Sherif to reach the main draw–that extra match time on clay can help build rhythm. Still, Cocciaretto’s recent form and aggressive style on this surface should allow her to dictate play over the course of the match.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Janice Tjen
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Kessler showed real fight in the first round, coming back from a set down to beat Elvina Kalieva in three sets. That kind of comeback can build confidence. Tjen had a first-round bye but has struggled overall in 2026 with a 5-9 record and four straight losses before this event. Neither has much clay-court form this season, so surface comfort is not a big factor. Kessler’s more consistent ball-striking at this level and the momentum from her opening win should give her the edge.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Madison Keys vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-Head: Keys 4–1 Vekic
Keys is a former Charleston champion from 2019 and holds a strong head-to-head record over Vekic, including all three of their clay meetings. Vekic has shown some positive signs after battling through qualifying and beating Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round. However, Keys brings more power and proven success on these conditions. Her ability to take control with big groundstrokes and her clay-court pedigree should help her set the tone early.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images