The ATX Open in Austin, like many other WTA 250 events, provided a great opportunity for players outside the top tier to deliver surprising performances and earn valuable WTA points ahead of the Sunshine Double. As expected, a tournament of this nature has already seen several upsets in the first two rounds, with only two of the eight seeds remaining before the quarterfinals. However, the tournament’s top seed and biggest star, Jessica Pegula, is still in contention, having started her campaign with two dominant victories. Here’s a preview of the quarterfinals, with a comparative analysis of the competing players.
Jessica Pegula (1) vs. Anna Blinkova
The top seed in Texas has comfortably handled her first two rounds. Pegula was the overwhelming favorite against both Arantxa Rus and Nuria Parrizas Diaz, with odds of 1.05 and 1.04, respectively. Both matches were one-sided from start to finish, with no real drama on the court. It has been a smooth ride for the world No. 5, who also celebrated her birthday at the start of the week—a moment recognized by the tournament organizers with a special cake and greetings.
Anna Blinkova will be Pegula’s opponent on Friday. The Russian has had a solid season so far, reaching her second quarterfinal of the year following her run in Linz in January. This already matches her total quarterfinal appearances from the entire 2024 season, which was particularly difficult for her, especially in the latter half. Interestingly, one of her two quarterfinal appearances last year was in San Diego, where she faced none other than Jessica Pegula. The American won that encounter in three sets, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. In Austin, Blinkova defeated Moyuka Uchijima and Tatjana Maria to reach the quarterfinals and is also competing in the doubles semifinals.
Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Ena Shibahara
After an impressive second half of 2024, which included a title in Hong Kong, Tomljanovic had a slow start to the new season, winning just one match before arriving in Austin. As a result, she was not favored by the odds in her first-round match against Katie Volynets. It was a tight battle, with both players struggling on serve, but Tomljanovic emerged victorious, 7-6(3), 7-5. In the second round against Jodie Burrage, she delivered a more commanding performance. Despite facing 10 break points, she saved nine of them and bounced back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. The Australian faced more pressure points than her opponent (28 to 19) but proved more effective when it mattered, securing her first quarterfinal appearance of the year.
Ena Shibahara is making a name for herself in singles, having primarily been known as a doubles specialist. She returned to singles competition last year and has now reached her first quarterfinal since then. Her journey in Austin has been marked by two tough three-setters. She overcame Kaja Juvan in the first round—Juvan making a comeback after a long injury layoff—and then defeated Kimberly Birrell in the round of 16. Notably, Shibahara fired 10 aces in her match against the Australian, securing an upset victory.
McCartney Kessler (5) vs. Sorana Cirstea
Kessler is one of three American players in the quarterfinals. The 25-year-old has been in excellent form this season, having won the WTA 250 title in Hobart and delivering standout performances at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, where she upset highly rated compatriots Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova. In Austin, Kessler was the favorite in both of her matches, but her path to the quarterfinals was not easy. She faced a tough challenge against Cristina Bucsa on Thursday, with the match going to a decisive tiebreak. In an exciting third set filled with momentum swings, Kessler found herself trailing 5-3 but managed to turn things around, eventually winning 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(4).
Cirstea was also a standout performer in Dubai, making an impressive run to the quarterfinals. Her campaign in Austin has been a rollercoaster so far. In the first round, she was favored to defeat Laura Siegemund and took the opening set, but then suffered a surprising 0-6 loss in the second. However, the experienced Romanian regrouped and secured victory, 6-3, 0-6, 6-1.
In her second match, Cirstea faced second seed Diana Shnaider. The world No. 13, who has struggled to find her form this season, received a late wild card into the event to gain some match practice ahead of the Sunshine Double. However, her Austin run did not go as planned. She narrowly escaped an early exit against WTA No. 175 Tatiana Prozorova in the first round, overcoming a 0-6 first set to win in three. Against Cirstea, she once again went the distance, but the Romanian’s experience proved crucial as she won 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to secure her second consecutive quarterfinal of the year.
Caroline Dolehide vs. Greet Minnen
Dolehide, the third American in the quarterfinals, has had her share of surprising deep runs in the past and is now making her first tournament appearance in 2025 with multiple victories. This section of the draw guarantees a surprise semifinalist, as neither Dolehide nor Minnen has faced a seeded player thus far.
The Belgian has been particularly impressive, producing a dominant performance in her round of 16 match, where she defeated Suzan Lamens 6-1, 6-0. Friday’s match between Dolehide and Minnen could come down to who delivers the better performance on the day.
