AUSTIN: A new WTA singles champion is guaranteed at the inaugural ATX Open, with Marta Kostyuk and Varvara Gracheva each reaching their first career final after registering wins over Danielle Collins and Katie Volynets in their respective semifinals, here.
In the first semi-final, No.8 seed Kostyuk of Ukraine swept past No.4 seed Collins of the United States 6-4, 6-3.
Coming into the event, 20-year-old Kostyuk had reached four previous semifinals at tour level, but had never converted any of those into a final appearance. That all changed with her 84-minute victory over 2022 Australian Open finalist Collins, in their first meeting. Another solid week for Kostyuk improves her 2023 win-loss record to 14-6 (including main draws and qualifying). This year, she has also reached quarterfinals at Adelaide International 1 and Hua Hin, as well as the third round of the Australian Open.
Kostyuk had a level ratio between winners and unforced errors, with 17 apiece, while Collins’ 13 winners were outpaced by 21 unforced errors. Kostyuk converted four of her seven break points on the day while only losing her serve once.
In the second semi-final, the 22-year-old Gracheva overcame 21-year-old Volynets 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a clash between two players who were both seeking their first WTA singles final. IANS
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