Former Linz winner Potapova gets off to a top start against Grabher

Anastasia Potapova, the winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in 2023, was a size too big for Julia Grabher. The 23-year-old Potapova impressively demonstrated in the Design Centre how well the conditions in Linz suit her and won 6:2, 6:2 against the Austrian wildcard player after 67 minutes. For the current world number 33, it was her eighth win in her ninth match in Linz. Grabher left no stone unturned with the support of the vociferous crowd, but too often lost out to her opponent's flat and powerful game.

"It was a bit bitter that I lost my first two service games in the first and second sets. That's simply poison against such an opponent. Nevertheless, I had the chance to come back in the first set. If I could keep it close, then I would get more from my opponent. She placed the balls well and served strongly and unfortunately I had little access," summarised Grabher.

And for Anastasia Potapova, Linz is already a piece of home: "I have to say, I really feel at home here. The court simply suits my game perfectly. Julia is on her way back to the top after her serious injury. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time," commented Potapova, who will be called upon again on Wednesday. In the last match of the day, she will face Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova.

Lys chase to catch up not rewarded

In contrast, Eva Lys, the German surprise eighth-finalist at the Australian Open, was unable to reward herself for a magnificent comeback. The 23-year-old from Hamburg won a second set that she had almost thought was lost, but had to congratulate Petra Martic on her victory after 2:40 hours in the most spectacular match of this tournament so far. The 2023 Linz finalist impressed with her strong serve and triumphed 6:4, 5:7, 6:3 in the end. With her third win in a row, the Croatian is now the fourth player after Antonia Rudzic, Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Sara Sorribes Tormo to march through from qualifying to the round of 16.

Sinja Kraus & Maria Sakkari in action on Wednesday

After Julia Grabher, the second Austrian will also take part in the main draw of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz on Wednesday. After two victories in qualifying, Vienna's Sinja Kraus (not before 2 pm) is going into her clash against Anhelina Kalinina with plenty of confidence and is already looking forward to another home match. Reaching the last 16 of a WTA 500 tournament would be a first for her. The "Night Session" on Wednesday (not before 6 pm) will be opened by Maria Sakkari from Greece. The 2023 Linz semi-finalist will play against Viktoriya Tomova from Bulgaria.