01 February 2025
Inside Out
Karolina Muchova
The number one inspires:
Muchova-Mania in Linz
The tennis fans of Linz have a new favourite! Karolina Muchova was celebrated enthusiastically by the 2500 fans in the sold-out Linz Design Centre yesterday after reaching the semi-finals. The Czech, who is seeded number one at a tournament for the first time in her career, had to show her best tennis yesterday against Anastasia Potapova, the 2023 Linz winner, to reach the semi-finals at her first attempt in Linz.
"That was a very tough match. She played brilliantly. It was extremely close, especially in the last game. I really wanted to win the match and I'm glad that I managed to do so. It's great that so many Czech fans are here. But the Austrians always support me too. It's a lot of fun," said Muchova to the cheers of the fans, who are likely to be behind her again today. It really isn't difficult to get excited about the tennis of the 2023 French Open finalist. The 28-year-old shapes every rally differently, is always looking for the way to the net, has a venomous backhand slice and moves extremely smoothly. The comparisons with Justine Henin or Roger Federer are no coincidence. Another point in Muchova's favour: in Kirsten Flipkens, she has a coach at her side who knows how to be successful in Linz. Flipkens reached the semi-finals in Linz exactly ten years ago.
Muchova wants to go one better today and reach her seventh career final against Ekaterina Alexandrova. However, Alexandrova is likely to have something against it. After all, she knows this tournament like the back of her hand and it would come as no surprise to anyone if she were to declare the centre court at the Design Center as her second home in the near future. With her hard-hitting and flat game, she has already reached the semi-finals in Linz for the fifth time this year. In 2018 and 2024, it even reached the final. The only thing missing is the ultimate crowning glory in the form of a tournament win. Incidentally, the 30-year-old has had good experiences with Muchova. Alexandrova has won three of the four meetings between the two. However, the last duel was four years ago - and Muchova has reached a Grand Slam semi-final three times since then. No matter who prevails in this duel: The winner will go into the final against Dayana Yastremska or Clara Tauson as the favourite, at least on paper.
The Ukrainian and the Dane will battle it out for a place in the final in the first match of the day, starting at 1pm. As Tauson also realised after her match, there will definitely be no shortage of one thing, namely "winning shots". Both players are characterised by an extremely powerful game and will do everything they can to accelerate the ball from the baseline as much as possible. However, it is also important to have the right balance and to keep your head in the game. Neither of them should be lacking in confidence at the moment: Yastremska and Tauson have marched through the tournament so far without losing a set. "If I'm in good form on Saturday, then it will go well for me," said a confident Yastremska.
The 24-year-old Australian Open semi-finalist from last year celebrated her first victory over a top 50 player since last June with her quarter-final win over Maria Sakkari and is now looking to add a second. The Ukrainian is currently ranked 72nd in the rankings, around 30 places behind Tauson, who can break into the top 30 for the first time with a win in today's match. The Scandinavian also has a strong start to the year to thank for this, including winning her third WTA title in Auckland.
Incidentally, the two have only met once before. In February 2022, Yastremska celebrated a narrow three-set victory in qualifying in Dubai. But this match today is much bigger. It's about reaching the final of a WTA 500 tournament!
We're ready, are you?
Match of the Day
Dayana
Yastremska
Age: 24
Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
World ranking position: 72
Greatest success: Australian Open 2024 semi-final
Clara
Tauson
Age: 22
Born in: Hellerup, Denmark
World ranking position: 39
Greatest success: Three WTA titles
Balance sheet
1 : 0
Tip from the editors
40 : 60
Expert
Barbara Schett
Tournament ambassador Barbara Schett is THE expert when it comes to the tennis players at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. "Babsi" takes a look behind the scenes for us.
Dayana Yastremska vs. Clara Tauson
"I think Dayana Yastremska will win the duel. She plays a bit faster and moves a bit better. Both are playing really well this week, neither has lost a set yet. Clara Tauson is a player on the rise, she already won the tournament in Auckland earlier this year, but I still think Dayana Yastremska will make it to the final."
Match of the Day
Karolina
Muchova
Age: 28
Born in: Olomouc, Czech Republic
World ranking position: 19
Greatest success: Roland Garros finalist (2023)
Ekaterina
Alexandrova
Age: 30
Born in: Chelyabinsk, Russia
World ranking position: 30
Greatest success: Wimbledon round of 16 finalist (2023)
Balance sheet
1 : 3
Tip from the editors
65 : 35
Expert
Barbara Schett
Karolina Muchova vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
"The head-to-head score of 3:1 favours Alexandrova, but my money is on Karolina Muchova if she doesn't get a bit nervous. Muchova has more variations and more different strokes, while Alexandrova plays more straight. Muchova is in a good mood, she's the number one, she's the favourite and is determined to win this title. With her game, she is able to break Alexandrova's rhythm."
Quotes
Dayana Yastremska
support me really well!"
Match Highlights
Yastremska
vs.
Sakkari
Lexus
PREMIUM PARTNER
Have you spotted it yet? There is an electrified Lexus RZ at the centre court of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz this year - a real gem!
Dynamism, precision and the tireless drive to always give your best - all this unites Lexus and world-class tennis.
Public Village
Upper Austria Ladies Linz
Inclusion
Focus on wheelchair tennis
Christina Pesendorfer and Nico Langmann, the respective number one in wheelchair tennis in Austria, will once again be guests at the WTA 500 tournament today and will play a show match on Centre Court before the first semi-final (12.30 pm). And that's not all: both will be equipped with headset microphones for this match and will commentate live for the tennis fans.
All visitors are invited to try out what wheelchair tennis feels like for themselves after the first and second semi-final matches. Both people who are dependent on a wheelchair and tennis fans without a wheelchair can try out wheelchair tennis on Match Court 1 under the expert guidance of Christina Pesendorfer and Nico Langmann. Be part of it!
Stringing
Dunlop
Nothing works without them! This year, Dunlop is not only providing the tournament balls but also the stringing service for the tennis pros at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The Dunlop team strings the tennis rackets of the active players every day from early in the morning until late at night. But Dunlop is not only an important contact for the tennis players, but also for the fans these days. Why don't you drop by the Dunlop stand in the Public Village?
Review
The big Linz AG day!
There was a lot on offer at yesterday's LINZ AG Day! In addition to competitions and lots of goodies, a special highlight was an autograph session with semi-finalist Dayana Yastremska at the LINZ AG stand. We are already looking forward to next time!
Norbert Rainer (Climate Alliance Upper Austria), Tournament Director Sandra Reichel and Stefan Kaineder (Provincial Councillor for the Environment)
GREEN EVENT
HONOURING
Sustainability is once again a top priority at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz this year! For the third time, the WTA 500 tournament has been honoured as a Green Event. The honour was bestowed this year by Stefan Kaineder, Provincial Councillor for the Environment.
Challenge
Players
Maria Sakkari
Bye, Maria!
What a pity! Maria Sakkari missed out on repeating her semi-final appearance from 2023 this year. The tournament's number three was beaten 5:7, 0:6 by a furious Dayana Yastremska - even the musical support of DJ Davidoff, who gave his all again in the second set with a sirtaki to cheer on the Greek player, couldn't change that. After 80 minutes, it was all over for Sakkari when her Ukrainian opponent secured her ticket to the last four with her first match point. "It wasn't a good day for me, but Dayana also played very well and the conditions suited her game better than mine," said Sakkari, summarising the match. Good luck for the next few weeks and see you next time in Linz, Maria!
Doubles competition
Into the final with sister power
The Upper Austria Ladies Linz found its first finalists on Friday! The Kichenok sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiia beat Anna Danilina (Kazakhstan) and Irina Khromacheva in the semi-finals of the doubles competition. It took 68 minutes for the two Ukrainians to celebrate their 6:4, 6:0 victory. The two have already won four doubles titles together on the WTA Tour. Tomorrow Sunday will show whether number five will follow in Linz: The Kichenoks will then face either Timea Babos (Hungary) and Luisa Stefanini (Brazil) or the top-seeded duo of Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Zhang Shuai (China). The semi-final between these two pairings will be played today as the last match of the day.
Preview
FAMILY DAY OF OBERÖSTERREICHISCHE VERSICHERUNG AG
There's a lot going on today! At Oberösterreichische Versicherung AG's Family Day, mascot "Ele" brings a great atmosphere to the hall. Competitions and activities on and off the centre court will also delight young and old!
Full house on quarter-final day
Design Centre
It is the "place to be" during the tournament week: the Design Centre Linz offers the perfect location for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. And without the Design Centre team, many things would not be possible. Thank you for your support!
Quotes
Clara Tauson
Thank you
Tradition
Ladies Linz! Eva-Maria Reichel, mother of tournament director Sandra Reichel, donates doughnuts to all employees of the WTA tournament every year during the tournament week. We say: Thank you again this year for the sweet surprise!
Side Event
Exciting pickle ball action in Linz
Fancy a little digression? Visitors to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz not only enjoyed world-class tennis on Friday, but were also able to experience a top-class show match in the Pickle Ball. On Match Court 1, the Austrian national team players Jasmin Primus and Ashley Simpson fought a duel with Viktoria Kanichova and Karina Zustakova, two national team players from Slovakia. In the end, it was the Slovakians who came out on top (11:1, 11:5, 11:5). Afterwards, the pros took the time to have a few rallies with the spectators. Our verdict: If you're a tennis fan, it's definitely worth stopping by the Pickle Ball!
Match Highlights
Tauson
vs.
Blinkova
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
01 February 2025
Today on the plant
INCLUSION
- 12.25 pm: Interviews with Nico Langmann and Christina Pesendorfer
- 12.30 p.m.: Show practice between Nico Langmann and Christina Pesendorfer
- After the two semi-finals: wheelchair tennis for all at the M1 with Langmann and Pesendorfer
- Before the first semi-final: honouring Melanie Klaffner
- Various activities organised by Oberösterreichische Versicherung AG on and off the centre court
- 11.00 - 15.00: ASKÖ Upper Austria children's programme
- 12.00 - 18.00: Ploberger Karl Biogärtner + Toni Klein on site
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:
Saturday, 01 February 2025
from 13.00 (ORF ON)
from 1.25 pm (ORF 1)
from 3.00 pm (ORF Sport Plus)
Sonntag, 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.
Results
Order of play
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