Charleston Open 2023: Pegula vs Badosa Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Charleston Open quarterfinal match featuring Jessica Pegula vs Paula Badosa on Friday, April 7, 2023.

Pegula vs Badosa Match Preview

Tournament favorite Jessica Pegula will face a potential banana skin in Paula Badosa. Who will prevail and reach the Charleston Open semifinal?

Jessica Pegula called herself ”tough” and it is difficult not to agree with her on the evidence of her rollercoaster victory over Irina-Camelia Begu. What appeared to be a drama-free quarterfinal procession, turned into one of the most entertaining and nail-biting matches. Pegula blew a 4-0 lead in the second set that ought to have seen her close the match in straight sets. And then in a curious twist of fate, her opponent Begu was next to squander her own 4-0 lead in the decider. Pegula dug deep in her reserves to clinch one of her likeliest wins in the unlikeliest of circumstances. She sets up a mouthwatering quarterfinal against Paula Badosa.

Paula Badosa, meanwhile, has looked assured and extremely clinical this week at the Charleston Open. She has now reached her third quarterfinal in a row and will look to emulate her result from 2021 when she stunned the former world #1 Ashleigh Barty to make the semis. This time she’ll need to dethrone the top-ranked American Jessica Pegula from the draw to get there. The Spaniard has accounted for wins over Mayar Sherif, Leylah Fernandez, and teenage star Diana Shnaider without dropping a set.

Pegula vs Badosa Prediction and Pick

Jessica Pegula leads Paula Badosa 1-0 in their head-to-head, although Badosa retired mid-way through the first set of that match in Miami last season due to injury. After a chaotic start to the season with persistent injuries, Badosa has played her best tennis at the 2023 Charleston Open and might be the dark horse to win the tournament. Pegula continues to be a consistent force on the women’s tour and enters this match as a slight favorite. While none of the Badosa’s opponents this week stack up to the American’s excellent footwork and rally tolerance, I’ll still give the edge to the Spaniard here. With three straight wins, she has managed to turn her season around and I think the signs were there for us to see in Indian Wells and Miami where she took Elena Rybakina to her absolute limits. Friday’s result could potentially be the turning point in her season if she gets over the line.