Varvara Gracheva vs Marta Kostyuk Prediction & Betting Tips - ATX Open

Prediction published on 05/03/2023, 06:02  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/03/2023 at 07:02 in Tennis Predictions

It's going to be a historic day in Austin with the first ATX Open winner crowned. Eighth seeded Marta Kostyuk takes on unseeded Varvara Gracheva and neither have ever won a WTA Tour final. This is the second time these two players have faced each other in a final. The previous meeting was in Saint Malo four years ago but that was on the ITF Circuit. Gracheva won on that occasion but two of the last three matches played between these players has been won by Kostyuk. This week began with Kostyuk in 52nd place in the rankings but reaching this maiden WTA Tour final has taken her up to a career high 44th and a win will see her rise to 40th. This week has seen her drop just one set, that was to Madison Brengle in round two. Saturday saw her defeat the fourth seeded Danielle Collins for the loss of seven games.

Varvara Gracheva has beaten two seeds on her way to her first WTA Tour final. Top seeded Magda Linette was beaten in round one and then the fifth seeded Sloane Stephens in the last eight. Her semi-final saw Gracheva up against unseeded Katie Volynets and the 22-year-old came through in three sets, losing the middle one. This week began with her ranked 88th but in the live list she's up to 66th and a win over Kostyuk will see her climb to a career high 56th. It's been a bit of an inconsistent year for Gracheva with three matches out of four lost at one stage but she did beat Daria Kasatkina in the Australian Open. Twice this year she's lost in the qualifying rounds and then been reinstated as a lucky loser. Her luck might run out here though and we go for Kostyuk to get the win.