WTA Strasbourg – McCartney Kessler vs Ashlyn Krueger

WTA Strasbourg – McCartney Kessler vs Ashlyn Krueger

🧠 Form & Context

Ashlyn Krueger
📉 Still navigating the clay-court learning curve — only two match wins on the surface this season, with defeats to Navarro (Charleston), Potapova (Madrid), and Pegula (Rome).
🚀 Made waves earlier this year with a final run in Abu Dhabi and quarterfinals in Brisbane and Adelaide, totaling 15 main-draw wins in 2025 — already matching her 2024 tally.
🔜 A deep Strasbourg run could push her into the Top 30 just in time for Roland-Garros seeding.
🔁 Holds a 1–0 head-to-head advantage over Kessler, having beaten her in a tight three-setter earlier this season in Abu Dhabi.
McCartney Kessler
🌱 Still searching for a main-draw clay win at WTA level. Recent defeats in Rouen (to Ferro) and Madrid (to Andreescu) show the growing pains.
🏆 Much more comfortable on hard courts — picked up two titles and a runner-up finish since August 2024.
🧗 Showed grit in qualifying, winning two long three-set battles over Jodie Burrage and Renata Zarazúa to make the main draw.
🎓 A college-tennis product (Florida Gator), Kessler has a well-structured baseline game but is still adapting to European red clay.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Krueger brings more firepower and experience to the table, along with the confidence of a recent H2H win. While she’s not a natural on clay, her aggressive game should still earn dividends — provided she stays composed in longer exchanges.

Kessler will look to extend rallies and drag Krueger into a physical and mental grind. Her qualifying wins may give her belief, but without a clear weapon on this surface, she may struggle to finish points unless Krueger's level dips.

Expect Krueger to control tempo with first strikes and force Kessler into a reactive posture throughout the match.

🔮 Prediction

With superior form, upside, and prior success in the matchup, Krueger should maintain her edge. Kessler could test her resolve, but the Top 30 hopeful is well-positioned to advance.
🧩 Prediction: Ashlyn Krueger in 2 sets — with one likely going to a tiebreak or extended scoreline.