Daria Kasatkina vs Jaqueline Cristian Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Charleston Open

Prediction published on 05/04/2024, 01:12  by Daniel Ngulu in Tennis Predictions

Fourth seed Daria Kasatkina and unseeded Jaqueline Cristian will battle in one of the quarterfinals at the Charleston Open. Kasatkina has found success in recent appearances in Charleston and is again emerging as one of the favourites for the title. The Russian was a semifinalist here last season as she returned to end a four year hiatus. She is also a former Charleston champion, triumphing in 2017 in her second edition. In five appearances, Kasatkina has never failed to not reach at least the last four here. The current world number 11 defeated Anhelina Kalinina by the loss of five games in the last round. This was her 14th win in 22 outings this year. Kasatkina has recorded runner up finishes in Abu Dhabi and Adelaide and made the fourth round at Indian Wells. She defeated Cristian the only other time they were paired up against each other. This was in Doha two seasons ago.

Jaqueline Cristian will be motivated by the fact that injury had a role in her falling to Kasatkina in their last encounter. The Romanian was forced to retire in that second round duel in Doha with the scores tied at 2-2 in the second set. Cristian is a string performer on clay surfaces and has shown that this season. It is the only surface she is yet to record a defeat this year. Cristian is 3-0 on clay and this has allowed her to improve her record to 9-10. Before arriving in Charleston for her debut, Cristian had managed just one win in six outings. She defeated the in-form Emma Navarro in straight sets in the third round. Advancing to this round has propelled her nine places to 74th in the live ranking. A semifinal showdown with either Jessica Pegula or Victoria Azarenka will be the prize for the winner here.