Spectacular draw in the Linz AG Ice Arena - Tough draw for ÖTV duo

The world-class women's tennis tournament in Linz from 6 to 12 November in the TipsArena already offers plenty of excitement in the first round matches! Austria's number one at this year's "Upper Austria Ladies Linz", Julia Grabher, will face France's Alize Cornet. And Sinja Kraus, who (like Grabher) also received a wildcard for the main draw from tournament director Sandra Reichel, will play Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck for a place in the round of 16. The top seeds Emma Raducanu and Simona Halep have a bye in the first round.

As the "Upper Austria Ladies Linz" organises very special draws every year together with Linz AG, this year's event was once again a spectacle. The first round matches were drawn in the Linz AG Eisarena, a completely different playing surface to what the tennis ladies are used to. Under the motto "Sport connects", the tennis players Sorana Cirstea, Alison Van Uytvanck, Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus were joined by three ice hockey players from the IceCats. "There are very special guests here, special players and it's a very special place for the draw. It's great to see young women from different sports coming together," said Dr Jutta Rinner, CEO of Linz AG.

Tournament ambassador Barbara Schett is looking forward to the tournament week full of anticipation: "There is an incredible density in the field. The Austrians have drawn two relatively difficult lots. Julia Grabher with Alize Cornet, who is of course a very renowned player, and Sinja Kraus against Alison Van Uytvanck, another player who has been on the tour for ages. It's all about the experience the two of them can gain."

Both Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus are confident about the WTA tournament. Sinja Kraus says of her Belgian opponent: "I'm really looking forward to the match. I know her too - from television." Julia Grabher said: "I'm really looking forward to it. She is a very experienced player, but I think that there are more difficult draws and that I can handle it."