ATX Open 2023: Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Fixture: (8) Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva

Date: March 5, 2023

Tournament:ATX Open

Round: Final

Venue: Westwood Country Club, Austin, Texas, USA

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize money: $259,303

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva preview

Eighth seed Marta Kostyuk will take on World No. 88 Varvara Gracheva in the final of the 2023 ATX Open on Sunday.

Kostyuk knocked out Dalma Galfi, Madison Brengle and Anna-Lena Friedsam to make the semifinals, where she was up against Danielle Collins. The Ukrainian was in trouble early on in the opening set, but saved four break points to make it 3-3.

This boosted Kostyuk's confidence as she broke Collins' serve in the next game to go 4-3 up. She solidified her lead with a hold of serve and soon went on to clinch the first set.

The duo traded service breaks at the start of the second set. Kostyuk soon gained the upper hand as she went on a three-game run to lead 4-2. She secured another break towards the end of the match to win 6-4, 6-3.

Gracheva, meanwhile, eliminated top seed Magda Linette in the first round. She followed it up with wins over Anna Blinkova and Sloane Stephens to make the last four. She faced Katie Volynets for a spot in the title round.

The match started with four straight breaks of serve. Gracheva snagged another break of serve to jump to a 5-2 lead. She failed to serve out the set on her first try as Volynets put up a fight by winning the next two games to make it 5-4.

However, Gracheva broke the American's serve in the next game to claim the opener. The second set also featured four consecutive service breaks at the start. The two remained steady on serve for a while, which was followed by three breaks.

Volynets came out on top to lead 6-5 and served out the set to take the match into the decider. It looked like the American was about to run away with the match as she led 4-2 in the third set. However, Gracheva fought back as she reeled off the next four games to win the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva head-to-head

The two have faced off twice at the WTA level so far, with the head-to-head being tied at 1-1. Gracheva won their previous encounter at the 2021 Chicago Women's Open in three sets.

Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva odds

(Odds will be added once they're available)

Marta Kostyuk vs Varvara Gracheva prediction

Both players will be contesting their maiden WTA final. Kostyuk played a solid match to oust Collins in the semifinals. She got broken just once and won 70% of her first-serve points.

Gracheva struggled a fair bit in the previous round, but managed to get over the finish line in the end.

The Russian will need to step it up considerably in the final as she committed 48 unforced errors while hitting just 14 winners in the semifinals. Kostyuk's game is quite well-rounded, being equally comfortable while on the backfoot as well as playing first-strike tennis.

The Ukrainian's occasional lapse in concentration and questionable shot selection do often derail her chances of winning. But Kostyuk has largely remained focused this week and given her form, she's likely to lift her maiden WTA title on Sunday.

Pick: Marta Kostyuk to win in three sets.