It should be an entertaining day of semifinal action at the WTA Austin Open with four in-form players in action across the two potentially close matches. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both semifinals. But who will book their place in Sunday’s final in Texas?
WTA Austin Semifinal Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: first meeting
Danielle Collins has looked sharp so far at the WTA Austin Open. She opened her campaign with a tough assignment against Magdalene Frech, rallying from a set down to beat the Pole 6-7 6-4 6-2. She then dismissed Caty McNally for the loss of only two games to reach her second quarterfinal of the season. There she got the better of Anna Kalinskaya, finishing strongly as she beat the Russian 3-6 6-2 6-1 to set up this semifinal clash with Marta Kostyuk.
The Ukrainian has also had a good week so far in Austin. She started her week with a composed 6-4 6-1 win over Hungary’s Dalma Galfi before beating Madison Brengle 6-3 3-6 6-0 in the second round. The Ukrainian then beat Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam in straight sets to reach the semifinals. But Collins might prove to be a challenge too far for Kostyuk. If the Ukrainian plays her best tennis, this is a match she could win, but otherwise Collins looks the likelier winner.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Varvara Gracheva vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: first meeting
This has the makings of a close contest. Varvara Gracheva started her tournament by upsetting top seed Magda Linette in three sets and backed that up with hard-fought wins over Anna Blinkova and former-US Open champion Sloane Stephens to reach the semifinals. Katie Volynets, meanwhile, opened her account at the WTA Austin Open with a 6-3 3-6 6-0 win over Alison Riske. She then beat third Anastasia Potapova 5-6 6-2 7-5 and Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-3 to reach the last four.
It is hard to say which way this match will go. Both women have impressed so far in Austin and there is not a great deal between them on paper. Gracheva does have more experience than Volynets, but the American will have the crowd right behind her. The Russian is more comfortable playing on the front foot, however, which should serve her well in Austin. Volynets is a good enough player to win this match, but Gracehva should just about have the edge.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Main photo credit: Jay Plotkin/Special to American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK
