Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes second-round conflict between defending champion Madison Keys and challenger Donna Vekić on the 2026 Charleston Open.Charleston TodayFifth-seeded Madison Keys will start her 2026 Charleston Open marketing campaign with a second-round match towards Donna Vekić. Keys, the 2019 Charleston champion, has a 4-1 head-to-head benefit over Vekić and enters the match in higher type, having reached the quarterfinals in Brisbane and Adelaide earlier this 12 months.
Why it issues
Keys is searching for to defend her Charleston Open title and construct momentum heading into the clay courtroom season, whereas Vekić is seeking to flip round her current struggles and pull off an upset towards the higher-ranked American.
The particulars
Keys acquired a first-round bye, whereas Vekić has already performed three matches, profitable her qualifying rounds and her first-round predominant draw match towards Ajla Tomljanovic. Keys has an 8-5 win-loss document in 2026 up to now, with quarterfinal appearances in Brisbane and Adelaide, whereas Vekić has struggled with early exits in a number of occasions this season.
- The second-round match between Keys and Vekić will happen on April 1, 2026.
- Keys gained the Charleston Open title in 2019.
The gamers
Madison Keys
A fifth-seeded American participant who’s the defending champion on the Charleston Open, having gained the title in 2019.
Donna Vekić
A Croatian participant who has a 1-4 head-to-head document towards Keys and is seeking to pull off an upset within the second spherical of the Charleston Open.
What they’re saying
“I’m really looking forward to defending my title here in Charleston. It’s one of my favorite events on tour and I always enjoy playing in front of the great fans here.”
— Madison Keys
What’s subsequent
The winner of the Keys-Vekić match will advance to the third spherical of the Charleston Open.
The takeaway
This second-round conflict between the fifth-seeded Keys and the lower-ranked Vekić shall be a take a look at of Keys’ means to defend her Charleston Open title, as she seems to construct momentum on clay forward of the French Open.
