30 January 2025

Inside Out

Clear the stage for the top stars!

Kick-off for Muchova, Svitolina & Alexandrova

With Ekaterina Alexandrova, Karolina Muchova and Elina Svitolina, three out of four of the top seeds will be on court this Thursday: this line-up is really something to be proud of today!

Elina Svitolina

A lot has happened since Elina Svitolina's first appearance in Linz over ten years ago: The Ukrainian has not only climbed into the top 3 of the world rankings, but has also become the mother of a daughter. At her Linz comeback, the now 30-year-old will certainly be hoping for full stands and a good atmosphere! In her round of 16 match, the Ukrainian will face Anna Blinkova, who beat local hero Sinja Kraus in her opening match yesterday. Svitolina has come out on top in both of their previous duels.

There will be a premiere in the late afternoon: Karolina Muchova will serve for the very first time at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The 2023 French Open finalist was delighted with the city, but the weather was still a bit of a problem for the Czech at the start of the week after her trip "Down Under" at the Australian Open. "It's a bit colder here than in Melbourne, but I'm slowly getting used to it," the Czech explained with a laugh. One thing is certain: the Czech's variable game is sure to be a lot of fun for spectators! However, her opponent will certainly not make it easy for her: Sara Sorribes Tormo will certainly go into the match with a lot of self-confidence, not only because of her 2-0 record, but also because of her advantage in experience at this tournament. Having played in the qualifiers, she should be very familiar with the court by now. With three wins in a row, most recently against Lulu Sun, the WTA Newcomer of the Year 2024, she is sure to go into this match stronger than ever.

Karolina Muchova
Alexandrova_Option1

Ekaterina Alexandrova

The crowning finale of the day will be the last round of 16 match between last year's finalist Ekaterina Alexandrova and Aliaksandra Sasnovich. So it's worth planning plenty of time for a visit to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz today - especially as the first match of the day is absolutely worth seeing: Not before 2 p.m., fifth seed Dayana Yastremska will face Antonia Ruzic, who is one of three qualifiers taking to the court today. And success stories involving qualifiers are already a tradition in Linz. Last year, for example, Jodie Burrage stormed through to the quarter-finals. Will there be a similar story to tell today?

Match of the Day

Elina
Svitolina

Age: 30

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine

World ranking position: 24

Greatest success: Three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist 

Anna
Blinkova

Age: 26

Born in: Moscow, Russia

World ranking position: 83

Greatest success: A WTA title

Balance sheet

2 : 0

Match Highlights

Kraus

vs.

Blinkova

Quotes

Karolina Muchova

Complete success

FE&MALE Sports Conference

The FE&MALE Sports Conference "Advantage Ladies", which was held as part of the WTA women's tennis tournament Upper Austria Ladies Linz in the Design Centre of the Upper Austrian capital, opened up perspectives, presented visions and provided strong data material for the consideration of women's sport in Austria.

The motto "Successful Together", which was chosen for the third edition of the Women's Sports Conference, set the tone. Collaborations between sport, business, science and the media increase the chances of change at a societal level precisely because of the power of sport.

Quotes

ADVANTAGE LADIES

Maria Sakkari

LINZ AS A PLACE OF WELL-BEING

 

"I really like the tournament and the court here! The music at the changeover gave me that extra push today and really motivated me. The DJ really did a very good job!

The people in Linz are very friendly and the food is very good. And the organisation does everything to make us players feel at home and I really hope that I can be in the tournament for a long time to come."  

 

 

Lexus

Dynamics & precision

"Experience amazing": From A to B thanks to the top organised shuttle service of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz! The Japanese premium brand, which is regarded as a pioneer of electrification in the premium automotive industry, is once again the official automotive partner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz this year and is providing the shuttle fleet for the tennis pros with twelve vehicles. 

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Elina Svitolina on her arrival.
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Eva Lys

Sinja Kraus

Local heroine misses surprise

What a pity! Sinja Kraus unfortunately missed the surprise at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The 22-year-old local heroine, who played her way into the main draw thanks to a strong performance in qualifying, lost to Anna Blinkova 6:7(3), 2:6 after just over an hour and a half. Despite the defeat, Kraus was positive about her performance at the Design Centre afterwards: "I'm taking the positives with me. (...) I saw that I almost dictated the game against such a player. It's nice to see that I can cause my opponents such problems with my game." 

See you soon, dear Sinja! 

ÖTV

Honour

A special moment on the centre court: the ÖTV awarded the coach of the year on Wednesday. Barbara "Babsi" Schwartz, the Lower Austrian junior coordinator, was honoured. The former top-40 player earned the title above all for her commitment to the next generation of Austrian players. The award was presented by tournament director Sandra Reichel, tournament ambassador Barbara Schett and ÖTV sports coordinator Marion Maruska, who also emphasised how "extremely important" the 46-year-old's work is. We can only agree! Congratulations, Babsi Schwartz!

Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, Tournament Ambassador Barbara Schett, Coach of the Year Babsi Schwartz and ÖTV Sports Coordinator Marion Maruska

Double

Last Austrians eliminated

The dream is over! After their respective defeats in the singles competition, Sinja Kraus and Julia Grabher have now also been eliminated in the doubles. The only Austrian pairing in the main draw of the doubles competition at the WTA 500 tournament lost 1:6 and 2:6 to Katarzyna Piter (Poland) and Fanny Stollar from Hungary. All the best Sinja & Julia, there will be another chance next year in Linz! 

Support jewellery

Aesthetics

Tradition and modernity combined: Stütz, known for its expertise in jewellery design for 86 years, is giving the players of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz a special treat! The filigree pieces of jewellery from the traditional Linz-based company will ensure that the players will always have a memento of the WTA 500 tournament with them. 

Winners' Cup

Swarovski

This is a very special trophy! As in the previous year, Swarovski presents the official winner's trophy of the Upper Austria
Ladies Linz and has once again come up with something very special.

The unique piece of Swarovski jewellery is 34 centimetres high, weighs eight kilograms and has a total of 50 facets. It is also engraved with the tournament logo.

Advantage Ladies

Highlights 

Quotes

Elina Svitolina

For the fans

There was a lot on offer on yesterday's ADMIRAL Day! From welcome gifts, competitions at the centre court and a backstage tour with Barbara Schett, everything was included.

AY5I4781
AY5I4627

High profile visit

Handball goes tennis

Sport unites! That's why players from the HC LINZ AG handball club were at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz yesterday (Wednesday), cheering on local hero Sinja Kraus in particular. Thank you for coming and see you next year!

Upper Austria is blossoming!

Cool sustainability initiative! The Upper Austrian insurance company covers the cost of 1 m² of seed for every ace that is beaten.

 

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Presented by

Supporting programme
30 January 2025

Today on the plant

  • 8.30 am - 12.30 pm: Sport & fun with the stars on the training court
  • 12.30 pm: Expats meeting
  • from 13.00: Paddle tennis on the mini court
  • 1.30 pm: Student press conference
  • 16.15: Segafredo - Raffle Meet & Greet with Babsi Haas
  • 17.00: Blau Weiß Linz as guest at the tournament 
  • 6.00 pm: OÖ Versicherung Expertinnen Spezial Talk 
  •  

DAILY ACTIONS:

Tennis ball box action: Bring your used tennis balls to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz and secure goodies - together in the spirit of sustainability!

Pensioners' action: Free coffee & cake for every pensioner 

4+1 Best-Friend: If you book a best friend package, you will receive a bottle of Secco Rosé "Pink Ribbon" Leo Hillinger or a glass of beer for each person - voucher issue 

ORF Radio Upper Austria: Happy hour for kids at the ORF Radio Oberösterreich wheel of fortune

The tournament on TV

Live there!

The broadcast times at a glance:

Thursday, 30 January 2025
from 2.00 pm (ORF Sport Plus)

Friday, 31 January 2025
from 13.00 (ORF Sport Plus & ORF ON)
from 1.25 pm (ORF 1)

Saturday, 01 February 2025
from 13.00 (ORF ON)
from 1.25 pm (ORF 1)
from 3.00 pm (ORF Sport Plus)

Sunday, 02 February 2025
from 14.00 (ORF ON)
from 2.30 pm (ORF Sport Plus)

*Programme subject to change

 

Program booklet

Have you read it yet?

Would you like to find out more about the Upper Austria Ladies Linz and expand your knowledge of the tournament's top stars and young hopefuls? Then pick up a free copy at the Info Point! Click on the button to access the online version of our programme.

Order of play