The subject disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for reducing access contention in a wireless medium. In some aspects, a method of the technology includes steps for exchanging data packets with multiple client devices in a wireless network, and based on the data exchange, identifying a first device from among the multiple client devices for which one or more higher-layer (e.g., Layer 3 and/or Layer 4) packets are likely to be received. In some aspects, a method of the technology can further include steps for broadcasting a lower-layer (e.g., Layer 2) packet to the plurality of client devices, wherein the lower-layer packet includes an extended duration field to suppress transmission by one or more listening client devices until at least one subsequent higher-layer packet is received from the first device. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.