Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva Prediction & Betting Tips - Chicago, USA, Qualifying

Prediction published on 25/08/2021, 10:45  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 25/08/2021 at 11:46 in Tennis Predictions

Marta Kostyuk is the eighth seed for the Chicago Open. The Ukranian has made it to the last eight without losing a set and takes on unseeded Varvara Gracheva for a place in the semi-finals. The other seeded players in this part of the draw are Marketa Vondrousova and Alize Cornet. Kostyuk has been climbing the rankings this year and began this week in 56th place. 2021 began with her 99th and her live ranking has her up to a career-high 54th. The 19-year-old has reached semi-finals this year in Abu Dhabi and Istanbul and got to the last 16 at Roland Garros. This week has seen her beat Katherine Sebov and Kaia Kanepi for the loss of only eight games.

Varvara Gracheva has played her opponent on four previous occasions. Only one of those matches has been won, that was in 2019. Since then, Kostyuk has won twice, winning in Cairo last year and at this year's French Open, losing just seven games. Gracheva began this tournament ranked 88th, ten places higher than the Russian was in April. The highlight of her year has  been a semi-final on clay in Saint-Malo (where she beat Kostyuk in the final two years ago). Aside from that week it's been a year with many early exits. In Chicago, Gracheva has found some form with wins over fourth seeded Tamara Zidansk and Ana Bogden. Kostyuk looks to be in the better form and can get the win here.