The second round of the WTA Charleston tournament is upon us, promising fans an exciting series of matches. The advent of the clay court season offers a valuable opportunity for players to reset their campaigns, especially if their early hardcourt performances didn’t meet expectations. With the French Open still some months away, WTA Charleston serves as a crucial platform for athletes to either ignite their year or build upon existing success. Below, we present our top picks and best bets for these intriguing second-round clashes.
WTA Charleston: Match Previews
McCartney Kessler vs. Janice Tjen
Head-to-Head: 0-0
This will be the first professional encounter between McCartney Kessler and Janice Tjen. Both players are predominantly known for their hardcourt prowess and possess limited experience on clay. Kessler has a more extensive history on clay, having played 51 matches with a record of 26 wins and 25 losses. Tjen, in contrast, has only competed in 14 career clay court matches, all occurring in 2024, yet she has shown an impressive recent performance that has positioned her as a favorite among oddsmakers.
Our Prediction:
Despite Tjen’s status as the favorite, largely due to her strong recent clay court run, we see significant value in backing Kessler. Kessler boasts considerably more overall experience on clay, even if her win-loss record is more balanced. Her consistent participation in clay tournaments provides a clear advantage in adaptation. We are forecasting a victory for Kessler.
Best Bet: Kessler to win
Katie Volynets vs. Diana Shnaider
Head-to-Head: 0-2
Katie Volynets and Diana Shnaider are set to face off once more. Shnaider has emerged victorious in both of their previous meetings, though only their clash at WTA Madrid last year was at the WTA main tour level. While Volynets demonstrates a solid game on clay, Shnaider holds a distinct advantage on this surface. Shnaider has twice reached the Round of 16 at Charleston, a stage Volynets has yet to surpass in this tournament.
Our Prediction:
As anticipated, Shnaider is a commanding favorite for this contest. Volynets also had a challenging first-round match against Eva Lys, which might reflect her current form. Shnaider appears to have numerous pathways to victory, with limited scenarios where Volynets could realistically cause an upset. We suggest a bet on Shnaider to win in straight sets.
Best Bet: Shnaider to win 2:0
Dayana Yastremska vs. Belinda Bencic
Head-to-Head: 1-4
Dayana Yastremska and Belinda Bencic have met five times in their careers, with Yastremska claiming a single victory back in 2018 during the semifinals of WTA Luxembourg. Interestingly, they have never competed against each other on a clay court, making this matchup particularly compelling. Both players share an identical 87 career wins on clay, though Yastremska has 51 losses compared to Bencic’s 49. Last year, Yastremska had a more impressive clay record of 8-5, while Bencic stood at 3-3.
Our Prediction:
Belinda Bencic is considered the favorite in this encounter, but we have a strong intuition that the clay surface could act as an equalizer for Yastremska. While Bencic is the higher-ranked player, the difference in their career clay court victories is minimal. If there’s ever a moment to take a calculated risk on an underdog, this match presents that opportunity. On most other days, Bencic would be an undeniable choice, but a strong feeling suggests Yastremska might deliver a surprise.
Best Bet: Yastremska to win