The quarterfinals are set at the WTA Credit One Charleston Open, and all four matches are excellent. We have five American players in the lineup, with four of them competing against each other to go to the semifinals. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance?
WTA Charleston Quarterfinal Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-Head: Navarro 0-2 Anisimova
Emma Navarro came back from a set down to beat Ashlyn Krueger in the third round and reach her first Charleston Open quarterfinals. Navarro cancelled out Krueger’s firepower with her excellent court coverage and was also very active on return games, breaking Krueger seven times in the match. She sets up a brilliant quarterfinal encounter against Amanda Anisimova, who was clinical against Yulia Putintseva and never lost control of the match. Anisimova has the upper hand in this rivalry, and if she can continue to serve well, she will have the advantage.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Qinwen Zheng vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-Head: Zheng 0-2 Alexandrova
It was a frustrating match from Qinwen Zheng in the third round against Elise Mertens as the conditions were windy and humid and she lost her focus in the second set and let Mertens come back in the match. However, Zheng regrouped in the third set and got the win to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in Charleston.
Ekaterina Alexandrova, on the other hand, delivered another outstanding performance to easily overcome Diana Shnaider in the third round. She was untouchable for most of the match and will look to carry the same level to the quarterfinals. The Russian player has never lost to Zheng, but both of their encounters came before the Chinese became a top 10 player. I expect Zheng to improve her level and get her first win against Alexandrova.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-Head: first meeting
There was just one major upset in the third round, and it came from Anna Kalinskaya’s racquet, as she defeated the #2 seed, Madison Keys, with an outstanding performance. Although given Kalinskaya’s talent and recent improvement after a difficult start to the season, the result is not very surprising. This would give her lots of confidence and make her a slight favourite going into the quarterfinals. Sofia Kenin backed her big win against Belinda Bencic with another great performance in the third round against Daria Kasatkina. She is brilliant to watch when playing at this level, and I won’t be surprised if she beats Kalinskaya too. But I am leaning toward the Russian player on this one.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-Head: Pegula 3-0 Collins
This could have easily been the final as the top seed, Jessica Pegula, takes on the defending champion, Danielle Collins. Pegula is in great form and has only lost eight games so far. However, this will be her biggest test, and she must bring her top level to make another semifinal at the Charleston Open. Collins trailed a break in both sets against Jelena Ostapenko, but recovered brilliantly to keep her prospects of defending the title alive. Pegula has never lost to her lower-ranked compatriot, and I expect her to play another solid match and force errors from Collins’ racquet.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
