Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk are set to battle it out in the Madrid Open final on Saturday.
Andreeva is bidding to claim her third WTA 1000 title in the Spanish capital, while Kostyuk is still in search of a maiden crown at the level.
The Ukrainian, seeded 26th in Madrid, took out Jessica Pegula in the early stages of the tournament and has dropped just one set throughout her campaign.
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Meanwhile, Andreeva booked her place in the final by earning back-to-back wins over seeded players, with the Russian overcoming Leylah Fernandez and Hailey Baptiste.
Ahead of the championship match, two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin predicted who will come out on top.
Tracy Austin and Vicky Duval preview the Madrid Open final
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Austin said: “I am still going to go with Andreeva. You do feel like you are the favourite going in, but I think that Andreeva, at just 19 years old, has enough experience at this level.
“We know she won the Indian Wells title and [won] in the Middle East last year as well. She beat Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina, and all of those.
“I think she trusts herself, and she really seems to be in a good place. Conchita by her side really helps her when she gets a little too volatile, but I think for Kostyuk, she can just take big swings at it.
“She’s going to have to be very clear on the strategy and the tactics out there and execute them very well in order to take Andreeva out.”
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Former American player Vicky Duval added: “I agree with everything Tracy said. I’ll keep it a little interesting and go with Kostyuk to win the final because Kostyuk is able to neutralise what Andreeva does so well, which is put her opponents in uncomfortable positions.
“She uses the forehand slice, the heavier balls, but because Kostyuk is such a good mover, she puts herself in the right positions to be able to counter that.
“I think it’ll be important for her to return really well. Against Noskova, she won 82% behind the second serve on returns.
“If she’s able to really punish Andreeva on the second serve returns, I think it’ll be effective. If she doesn’t do that, Andreeva’s going to win.”
Mirra Andreeva’s only previous meeting with Marta Kostyuk
Andreeva and Kostyuk, aged 19 and 23 respectively, have only clashed once before on the WTA Tour.
Their sole meeting came earlier this season at the Brisbane International, where they went toe-to-toe in the quarterfinals.
Kostyuk ultimately triumphed in that match, winning in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3, before advancing to the final, where she fell to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Now, Andreeva and Kostyuk will meet for the first time on a clay court, with a prestigious WTA 1000 trophy up for grabs.
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