There are two American Grand Slam finalists in action on the fourth day of the WTA 250 in Austin. They are 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens and 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins. Their matches are two of the four set to be played on day 4 in Austin. As always, we at LWOT give our predictions and analysis. But which players do you think will win?
WTA Austin Day 4 Predictions
Darja Semenistaja vs Wang Xinyu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Semenistaja won a long battle of the left-handers against Victoria Jimenez Katinsteva in the last round, while Wang came through more comfortably against Nadia Podoroska. Wang strikes the ball cleanly and the gritty Semenistaja will have to soak up even more pressure than the previous round. Can she do it successfully and win again? It seems unlikely. The courts in Austin are not very fast, but they are quick enough to make it hard for Semenistaja to get enough balls back into play against her higher-ranked opponent.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Danielle Collins vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: First meeting
Collins has played some outstanding tennis so far in what she says is her final season. However, she actually did not play particularly well against Olivia Gadecki in the last round, hitting 11 double faults in two sets. Her opponent could not take advantage but Volynets has a chance if Collins is not at her best again. A win for the younger American is possible, but I am still going to back Collins. Her previous form in 2024 makes another performance like the previous round unlikely, and she still managed to claim victory with that underwhelming level anyway.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Sachia Vickery
Head-to-head: Vickery 1-0 Schmiedlova
Schmiedlova proved that she can handle a home crowd being against her in the last round. She faced Peyton Stearns, who played college tennis in Texas. The Slovakian held her nerve admirably to triumph 7-5 in the third set. Vickery was an easier winner against Rebecca Marino. Interestingly, these two played less than two weeks ago at the Puerto Vallarta Open, and Vickery demolished Schmiedlova 6-2 6-0. A repeat of that score is unlikely. However, after a long previous match for Schmiedlova, Vickery has a good chance of claiming victory again.
Prediction: Vickery in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Anastasija Sevastova
Head-to-head: Stephens 2-2 Sevastova
This is the first time these two have played since the 2018 US Open quarterfinal. Sevastova beat Stephens in that match to end her hopes of defending her Grand Slam title. The circumstances are very different this time. Sevastova has returned to the WTA Tour this year after a long time away and won her first match since January 2022 earlier this month. Stephens has played some good tennis at times this season, even in defeats like the one against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in Dubai. Despite not being at her very best anymore, I think the American will have too much for Sevastova so early into her comeback.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
