🎾 WTA Charleston: Kalinskaya vs McNally

🎾 WTA Charleston: Kalinskaya vs McNally – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🟥 Anna Kalinskaya

• 🔻 2025 struggles: Just four wins this season—five first-round exits in seven tournaments.
• 📉 Ranking dip: Outside the Top 30 after a strong 2024 second half—searching for form.
• 🌿 Charleston spark: Quarterfinalist in 2023, taking out Kalinina, Cornet, and Azarenka in three consecutive thrillers.
• 💥 High ceiling: When on form, her baseline power and clean groundstrokes overwhelm most mid-level opponents.

🟩 Caty McNally

• 💪 Injury comeback: Missed most of 2024—now slowly returning to full strength and rhythm.
• ✅ Breakthrough win: Beat Kalinina in three sets this week for her first WTA main-draw win in two years.
• 🎾 ITF momentum: Won a title in Tampa and reached the semifinals in Springs since returning.
• 🧱 Clay comfort: Though more known for hard courts and doubles, she has the variety to succeed on green clay.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a matchup between raw firepower and tactical discipline. Kalinskaya brings heavy groundstrokes and a higher peak level, especially when striking cleanly off both wings. Her past success in Charleston also gives her a confidence edge—if she can tap into it.

McNally will aim to test Kalinskaya’s patience and fitness by extending points and forcing her to play extra balls. With effective net play and smart rally construction, the American can frustrate an opponent prone to patches of inconsistency.

Green clay slightly favors McNally’s controlled style and helps neutralize some of Kalinskaya’s pace. If Kalinskaya finds her rhythm early, this is her match to dictate—but if errors creep in, McNally is experienced enough to capitalize.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Kalinskaya in 3 sets

Expect swings in momentum. Kalinskaya has the tools and history in Charleston, but McNally’s form and grit make her a live underdog. A tight, tactical affair could unfold—with Kalinskaya edging through if she stays composed.