Madison Keys vs Anhelina Kalinina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Eastbourne International

Prediction published on 25/06/2024, 00:51  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 25/06/2024 at 01:09 in Tennis Predictions

Fourth seed Madison Keys begins her Eastbourne title defence on Wednesday, taking on qualifier Anhelina Kalinina in the second round. The winner of this fourth career meeting between these two will play Magda Linette, Elina Avanesyan or Karolina Muchova next.

Madison Keys won last year's title to become a two-time champion at this event. This success came nine years after her first triumph. As she makes her season debut on grass, the American will use this as fuel against a player she has struggled against.

Keys has never won against Kalinina though they have never battled on grass, a surface she is superb on. The 29-year-old had a belated start to the year but has nonetheless been superb. She has won 16 of 22 matches, resulting in one title on clay. Keys, who is coming off a third-round finish at the French Open, has dropped to 13th in the live ranking.

Anhelina Kalinina has never lost to Keys. She has won all three of their matchups with the most recent being a fourth-round battle in Rome last year. With a strong start to the grass season, the Ukrainian will be confident of extending her advantage in this fixture.

A quarter-finalist during her debut season in Eastbourne two seasons ago, Kalinina has compiled a 4-1 record on grass. Three of her victories have come in this tournament after starting her campaign in the qualifiers.

She has been in fine form and is yet to lose a set. Kalinina defeated Sorana Cirstea by the loss of five games in the first round. This was win number 19 of a topsy-turvy campaign that has also seen her lose 16 times. A three-time semi-finalist already this year, Kalinina has dropped two places in the live ranking. She is now ranked 46th in the world.