The last first-round match and four second-round matches are scheduled on Day 3 of the WTA ATX Open in Austin. Top seed Jessica Pegula got off to a winning start in her debut and will play against Nuria Parrizas Diaz. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance to the next round?
WTA Austin Day 3 Predictions
Kimberly Birrell vs Ena Shibahara
Head-to-Head: Birrell 0-1 Shibahara
Kimberly Birrell knocked out the defending champion, Yue Yuan, in the first round, continuing her good season. Birrell has already made two quarterfinals this season and has a good shot at making the third. Ena Shibahara came back from a set behind to win against Kaja Juvan in the first round. She started serving better from the second set onwards and made some timely first serve to win clutch points. Shibahara won the lone tour-level meeting between the two, and I anticipate a close battle with a different result,
Prediction: Birrell in 3
McCartney Kessler vs Victorija Golubic
Head-to-Head: first meeting
McCartney Kessler is in the form of her life and almost defeated three Top 20 players in a row in Dubai last week. She came extremely close to beating Karolina Muchova and has a good draw to make another run for the title this week. Kessler’s solid hitting from the baseline should trouble Victorija Golubic, a lucky loser who has just one tour-level win this season. Golubic had a great end to the 2024 season but her current form might not be enough against the red-hot Kessler.
Prediction: Kessler in 2
Anna Blinkova vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-Head: Blinkova 2-1 Maria
Anna Blinkova kept her perfect first-round record this season as she came back from a set behind to win against Moyuka Uchijima. She should be making more deep runs given her talent, and maybe this is one of those weeks when everything comes together for her. Despite having trouble with her second serve, Tatjana Maria managed to win the first round. The German hit 12 double faults in the match and must rectify it against Blinkova, who has already beaten her twice in the past. Blinkova should get this done if she plays close to her best.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Jodie Burrage
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Ajla Tomljanovic got her second win of the season as she defeated Katie Volynets in two close sets. Tomljanovic played the critical points better and this should give her much-needed confidence considering her recent struggles with injuries. Jodie Burrage won a tight contest against Petra Kvitova, serving some clutch aces in the third set. It could have been a completely different result if not for her serving late in the third set. She will need to be more consistent against Tomljanovic to win consecutive tour-level matches for the first time since January 2024.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-Head: Pegula 1-0 Diaz
Jessica Pegula starts her ATX Open campaign with a good win over Arantxa Rus, who had to retire in the second set due to injury. Pegula is a heavy favourite to win the title this week and has a great draw to reach the finals without facing a dangerous player. Nuria Parrizas Diaz got a comfortable win in the first round, marking her first win of the season. However, Pegula would be a far tougher opponent, and she would need to play her best to keep this close.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
