Peyton Stearns, the former University of Texas standout, thrilled fans in Austin by progressing to the semifinals of the ATX Open. On Friday, the fourth seed from Cincinnati defeated Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 in a match that lasted two hours and 31 minutes and featured 14 service breaks, with Stearns breaking serve eight times.
Upcoming Matches and Player Progress in Austin
Stearns is set to face Australian Kimberly Birrell next, who defeated Ajla Tomljanovic with a 6-3, 6-3 score in the all-Australian quarterfinal. Stearns has previously reached two career finals, finishing runner-up in Bogota in 2023 and winning her first title in Rabat earlier this year. On the other side of the draw, Taylor Townsend rallied from a set down to overcome Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Townsend will challenge fellow American Ashlyn Krueger, who narrowly defeated China’s Yuan Yue 7-6(5), 6-4.
Semifinal Lineups Take Shape at Merida Open
At the Merida Open in Mexico, Poland’s Magdalena Frech upset fourth seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals. Frech hopes to build on her recent success, having captured her first career title earlier this year in Guadalajara. She will face Shuai Zhang, who moved past Andorra’s Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva 6-1, 6-3. Meanwhile, Spain’s Cristina Bucsa advanced by defeating Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4, and will await the winner of the quarterfinal between Italy’s top seed Jasmine Paolini and Great Britain’s Katie Boulter.
Implications for Upcoming Matches and Player Momentum
Stearns’ win in Austin marks a strong return to her home state tournament, suggesting she could be a serious contender for the title. The presence of multiple Americans in the semifinals highlights the growing competitive depth in U.S. women’s tennis. Meanwhile, in Merida, Frech’s semifinal appearance signals momentum that could lead to more success in the season ahead. Fans will be watching closely as the remaining quarterfinal matches conclude and the semifinal rounds commence in both events.
