After Jasmine Paolini’s dramatic performance in Merida and Ashlyn Krueger’s straight-sets victory that secured her spot in the semifinals in Austin, both the ATX Open and Merida Open have narrowed down to four finalists.
This week has seen numerous upsets, leaving only one seed remaining in each draw. Nonetheless, the narrative remains rich as both tournaments edge closer to crowning their champions. In Merida, all four semifinalists are competing in their first WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz semifinal of the season. This group features a Top 10 player aiming to rebound from a disappointing performance in the Middle East and a 37-year-old qualifier who has not lost a set.
In Austin, local favorite and University of Texas alum Peyton Stearns has advanced to the semifinals following an emotional boost from her new friend, Matthew McConaughey, which helped her secure a tough three-set match against Oksana Selekhmeteva. Stearns stands as the only remaining seed in the draw, alongside fellow Americans Ashlyn Krueger and Taylor Townsend, along with Kimberly Birrell, who triumphed over Ajla Tomljanovic in an all-Australian matchup earlier in the day.
As the action is set to commence in Austin this afternoon, here’s what to know ahead of Saturday’s semifinals at the WTA 250 in Austin and WTA 500 in Merida.
ATX Open
No. 4 Peyton Stearns vs. Kimberly Birrell
1 p.m. local, 2 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. GMT
Birrell faces a challenging opponent in Stearns, who will have home support as she seeks her third WTA final and her first on hard courts. However, Birrell has experience in tough matches, having defeated American Caroline Dolehide in straight sets in the second round before her impressive quarterfinal win over Tomljanovic. Stearns’ path to the semifinals took an extra hour, as she secured her spot only after converting her fourth match point in a grueling 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 win over Selekhmeteva.
Ashlyn Krueger vs. Taylor Townsend
3 p.m. local, 4 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. GMT
This all-American semifinal not only brings a competitive spirit but emotional significance as well. Townsend, a former doubles World No. 1, reached her first WTA singles semifinal with a comeback win over Rebeka Masarova, all while her son cheered from the stands. In contrast, Krueger concluded her quarterfinal match with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory against Yuan Yue. As a former Top 30 player, Krueger is positioned to return to the Top 100 next week, with a chance to move into the Top 70 should she continue her winning streak this weekend.
Merida Open
Magdalena Frech vs. (Q) Zhang Shuai
6 p.m. local, 7 p.m. ET, 12 a.m. GMT
This semifinal showcases two players on contrasting paths. Frech triumphed over No. 4 seed Marie Bouzkova after three hours of play, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Already having eliminated No. 7 seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Bouzkova marks the second successive seed to fall to Frech, who is aiming for her first semifinal since her title win in Guadalajara 2024. She will first have to overcome Zhang, a 37-year-old qualifier who has impressively navigated the tournament without losing a set, including a victory over defending champion Emma Navarro.
(WC) No. 1 Jasmine Paolini vs. Cristina Bucsa
7:30 p.m. local, 8:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 a.m. GMT
In a remarkable feat, Paolini achieved a win after dropping the first set 6-0 to Katie Boulter, who came to the match on a seven-match winning streak. Paolini staged an incredible comeback to win 0-6, 6-3, 6-3. Bucsa, on the other hand, overcame 2024 champion Zeynep Sonmez in straight sets, similarly entering the semifinals without dropping a set. With an opportunity at her first WTA singles title, a victory would grant Bucsa her first win against a Top 10 opponent in seven attempts, although she previously defeated Paolini in their latest encounter before her rise into the Top 10.
