Charleston Open: Jabeur vs Kalinskaya Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Charleston Open quarterfinal match featuring Ons Jabeur vs Anna Kalinskaya on Friday, April 7, 2023.

Jabeur vs Kalinskaya Match Preview

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur will need to be wary of the threat posed by Anna Kalinskaya as the pair square off in the Charleston Open quarterfinal. Who will prevail?

Ons Jabeur recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since January after battling past American wild card Caroline Dolehide. Jabeur took the first set 6-3, and despite Dolehide holding game point at 4-2 up in the second set, she managed to turn the tide and close out a 6-3, 7-5 win. The Tunisian trailblazer is on course to reach the championship match for the second straight year at the Charleston Open and will take on Victoria Azarenka’s conqueror Anna Kalinskaya.

Anna Kalinskaya, for her part, secured a mammoth win over the sixth seed Victoria Azarenka, beating the Belarusian star 6-4, 7-6. The Russian continues her giant-killing run at the Charleston Open which includes victories over Anhelina Kalinina and Alize Cornet (took three hours) to reach her first quarterfinal at a WTA 500 tournament.

Jabeur vs Kalinskaya Prediction and Pick

Ons Jabeur leads Anna Kalinskaya 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning their only meeting at the 2021 Indian Wells in straight sets. As Azarenka found out in the round of 16 at the Charleston Open, Kalinskaya was adept at matching her for pace, especially on the forehand wing. The Russian packs a punch with that forehand shot, but what makes Jabeur hold the edge here is the versatility and court craft she brings to the table. Jabeur needed that in abundance to take down Caroline Dolehide who actually served pretty well and was powering short balls. The Tunisian will need to unleash the drop shot more frequently here to disrupt the Russian’s feel on the ball.