WTA Charleston Day 1 Predictions Including Caroline Wozniacki vs McCartney Kessler

Tamara Korpatsch vs Daria Saville

Head-to-head: Saville 1-0

If not for starting last season in June, Daria Saville wouldn’t have to be qualifying for events like this right now. The Australian should get there over the course of the clay swing though and this would be a great place to start. Back in the day, the green clay in Charleston used to be pretty nice for her and given that Tamara Korpatsch is 3-9 for the year, it’s the qualifier who seems like a clear favorite in this one. She also took down the German in Hamburg last year.
Prediction: Saville in 2

Varvara Gracheva vs Clervie Ngounoue

Head-to-head: First meeting

Tough to say what Clervie Ngounoue is ready for at this stage of her career, but for what it’s worth she’s very familiar with green clay having claimed her maiden pro title on it in Naples earlier this year. One of the best juniors in the world will take on Varvara Gracheva here, who failed to repeat her results from February/March of 2023 and had to snap a 7-match losing streak to qualify here. Gracheva has had a rather soft draw so far, the 17-year-old might be considered a step up for her.
Prediction: Ngounoue in 3

Caroline Wozniacki vs McCartney Kessler

Head-to-head: First meeting

Caroline Wozniacki had that big run in Indian Wells, but overall her season has been a little more up and down than most expected. The former World No. 1 was always deadly in Charleston, winning the title in 2011 and never losing before the quarterfinals. Will that streak be in danger this year? Perhaps not in the first round as while McCartney Kessler has some solid potential, she only made it in as a lucky loser and likely won’t be solid enough to take out Wozniacki.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2