An American is guaranteed to win the WTA Austin title on Sunday. World No. 4 Jessica Pegula will face her compatriot McCartney Kessler for the title. Pegula hopes to win a seventh title while Kessler seeks her third. We at LWOT predict the winner in this article, but which woman do you expect to become the champion?<\/p>\n
Head-to-head: First meeting<\/p>\n
Pegula was challenged for the first time in the tournament against Ajla Tomljanovic in the semifinal. After easily coming through her first three matches, last year’s US Open<\/a> runner-up battled back from a slump in the second set to beat Tomljanovic 6-1 4-6 6-3. Kessler recovered from losing the first set in the round of 16 and the quarterfinal before a 7-5, 6-4 win against Greet Minnen to reach the final.<\/p>\n That victory against Minnen saw Kessler soak up a lot of pressure for long periods and get enough balls back until her opponent made unforced errors. She cannot afford to be on the defensive that often against Pegula. The more experienced American will almost certainly be more clinical when ahead in the rallies than Minnen was. That means Kessler needs to be brave and find ways to put Pegula under pressure throughout the match.<\/p>\n At its best, Kessler’s first serve is more formidable than Pegula’s. Getting as many free points as possible might prove crucial to her chances. Kessler’s forehand will also be vital. Although she attacks well off both wings, Pegula’s backhand is so solid that her compatriot probably needs to dominate the forehand-to-forehand exchanges.<\/p>\n