Charleston Open: Badosa vs Shnaider Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Charleston Open round of 16 match featuring Paula Badosa vs Diana Shnaider on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Badosa vs Shnaider Match Preview

Former Charleston Open semifinalist Paula Badosa will battle the highly-talented Russian teenager Diana Shnaider in the mouthwatering round of 16 match on Thursday. Who will prevail?

Paula Badosa reached the round of 16 at the Charleston Open with a huge win over Leylah Fernandez. I say huge in the sense that this was just the second time this season she was able to win back-to-back matches and it will give her something to build on during the clay-court swing. But she will face a stern test against the talented Diana Shnaider who has already upset the No. 5 seed Veronika Kudermetova.

Diana Shnaider, for her part, made it to the round of 16 with her first top-20 win of her career by beating Veronika Kudermetova – the 2021 Charleston Open champion. Shnaider announced herself to the tennis world with a stunning cameo against Maria Sakkari at this year’s Australian Open but came up short in three sets. But she was not to be denied this time in a fearless performance that saw her break her experienced countrywoman five times.

Badosa vs Shnaider Prediction and Pick

Paula Badosa and Diana Shnaider have not played each other on the WTA Tour, with this round-of-16 match at the Charleston Open being their first meeting. Shanider is a courageous competitor who will not shy from playing with vigor. Experience might work against her though against a consistent clay courter in Badosa. Shnaider’s second serve is also attackable. She can throw in the occasional double fault under pressure, and it will be up to Badosa to ensure she doesn’t fall into the trap of playing passively. Still, I trust the Spanird here, she has looked very assured in beating Sherif and Fernandez and looks to be back to her best form.