🎾 WTA Charleston: Madison Keys vs Anna Kalinskaya

🎾 WTA Charleston: Madison Keys vs Anna Kalinskaya – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇺🇸 Madison Keys

• 🏆 Revival year: Semifinalist in Indian Wells after a deep run at the Australian Open; 2025 has been a bounce-back season.
• 🎾 Charleston comfort: 2019 champion, showed nerves of steel to save 8 match points vs. Dolehide in R2.
• ⚙️ Green clay specialist: Her big serve and flat groundstrokes suit Charleston’s quick-bounce clay well.
• 🔥 In-form and confident: Among the WTA’s best front-runners when she controls tempo early.

🇷🇺 Anna Kalinskaya

• 🔄 Trying to reset: Struggled in early 2025 with first-round exits in 5 of 6 events before Charleston.
• 💥 Shotmaker’s spark: Looked sharp in her R1 win over McNally (6-1, 6-4), her cleanest performance in weeks.
• 🌱 Charleston QF run in 2023: She returns with motivation to defend ranking points and build form.
• 🎯 Dangerous when dialed in: Clean technique and backhand timing can cause problems if she settles quickly.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match is all about rhythm and first-strike tennis. Keys will look to dominate from the baseline, using her big serve and forehand to take control early. If she lands her first serve and finds timing on return, it’s tough to stop her on home soil.

Kalinskaya must disrupt Keys’ rhythm and attack second serves, especially on the ad side. Her backhand down the line could be a key weapon, particularly if Keys gets pushed into uncomfortable wide positions.

However, Keys’ Charleston experience, confidence, and raw power tilt the balance. She has a knack for handling tight moments in front of home fans, and unless unforced errors pile up, she should have the edge.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Madison Keys in two tight sets

Kalinskaya can keep this close if she serves well and stays consistent, but Keys’ weapons and Charleston record make her the favorite.