Inside Out 09.04.2026 - Upper Austria Ladies Linz

9 April 2026

Inside Out

Round of 16 day

Do it again, Lilli & Anastasia!

Clear the stage for the next Austrian tennis holiday! Lilli Tagger and Anastasia Potapova want to follow up their furious opening victories. An Austrian duel could even be possible in the quarter-finals. Fingers crossed!

Lilli Tagger turned the Linz Design Centre into a real cauldron on Tuesday! A clear concept, great variability and nerves of steel that left the 2,500 fans impressed - these were the ingredients for a well-deserved 6:4, 7:6 victory for Tagger over Paula Badosa.

She was asked in the ORF interview whether the strength of nerve she had shown would also be available to buy. „Maybe on Amazon,“ replied the 18-year-old dryly. Everyone can tell that Lilli Tagger is already feeling right at home on the big stage of the WTA Tour and especially on the clay court in Linz! Will she manage her next coup today?

Her opponent Liudmila Samsonova impresses with a strong serve and a powerful baseline game - a combination that is very similar to Tagger's game and could suit the East Tyrolean. Nevertheless, Lilli Tagger remains the underdog in this match - but this role already worked in her favour against Badosa.

Lilli Tagger

Anastasia Potapova had to battle with her nerves on Wednesday. The 25-year-old was playing her first singles match as an Austrian in Linz and wanted to do particularly well against Zhang Shuai.

„I'm shaking so much right now. I haven't been this nervous before a match for a long time. Thank you all, it wasn't easy today. I really felt some pressure. I'm so happy that I can play for Austria,“ said a delighted Potapova after her smooth two-set victory and well-deserved place in the round of 16. She still saw room for improvement in her game, but perhaps there is only a little time left in the tournament.

Anastasia Potapova

Today, Potapova will face the German qualifier Tamara Korpatsch, who has already got to grips with the conditions on the clay court in Linz and has won three matches. Potapova should therefore be warned, also because she lost the only duel against Korpatsch in Lausanne six years ago.

Incidentally, if Tagger and Potapova both prevail today, they would play each other in the quarter-finals - and an Austrian would certainly be in the semi-finals. You can still dream, can't you?.

Ekaterina Alexandrova

The clash between two former tournament winners, former world number one Karolina Pliskova and Ekaterina Alexandrova, should also be a real treat (not before 6 pm). After the Czech Pliskova triumphed at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz almost twelve years ago, in autumn 2014, Alexandrova, who lives in the Czech Republic, is the current defending champion and favourite in this match.

For Alexandrova, by the way, this tournament is about a historic record: she can make herself the most successful player in tournament history. Today Alexandrova is playing for her 21st victory in Linz - which would put her on a par with Ana Ivanovic, the current record holder! And Alexandrova will certainly give it her all!

Match of the Day

LIUDMILA
SAMSONOVA

Age: 27

Born in: Olenegorsk, Russia

World ranking position: 21

Greatest success: Quarter-finalist Wimbledon (2025)

LILLI
TAGGER

Age: 18

Born in: Lienz, Austria

World ranking position: 117

Greatest success: Junior winner Roland Garros (2025)

Balance sheet

0 : 0

EDITOR'S TIP

55 : 45

Historic

Lilli's big chance

Lilli Tagger has already made history with the first main draw victory for an Austrian woman at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in 13 years. But today could be another historic day:

Tagger is playing against a current top 25 player for the second time in her career today. With another win, the player from Lienz could break through the sound barrier and make the leap into the top 100. Tagger would also secure direct qualification for the main draw of the French Open.

„You always have a 50 per cent chance of winning the game because you're already on the pitch, aren't you?”

„It's definitely not exhausting, but sometimes it's a bit strange. I didn't expect it to come so quickly. But it's special - you can see that people appreciate you and that you're on the right track.”

Double

Austria-Power

The hopes of the home crowd got off to a strong start yesterday in the doubles competition: Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus defeated their opponents Jaqueline Cristian and Jelena Ostapenko 6:4, 6:3.

Today, the duo will face Czech players Jesika Maleckova and Miriam Skoch on Match Court 1 (not before 5pm).

Judy Murray

„It is important to have a role model in Austria“

One of the most prominent female tennis coaches in the world is doing the honours at Upper Austria Ladies Linz this year. Judy Murray is back in Upper Austria for the first time since 2019 and was immediately asked about Lilli Tagger at the media briefing:

„You is a really promising player. Tall, strong, a good athlete, a great one-handed backhand and she has a fantastic coach in Francesca Schiavone. It's such a long journey, a long way and when you're so successful at such a young age, there's pressure from fans, from the media and from yourself. It's really easy to get distracted by a lot of things when you're suddenly successful. But I think she's in good hands.”

Murray is also absolutely convinced by Mirra Andreeva:
„I think Andreeva has a great future ahead of her. I'm interested to see how things will go with her and with Tagger. I think it's so important for this tournament that she plays well. And it's important to have a role model and a fanbase in Austria.”

And what advice does Murray have for the budding top players? „It's not a race: at this stage you have to equip yourself for whatever comes next. Take your time and develop your game so that you can have a long and successful career,“ summarises the mother of former world-class players Andy and Jamie Murray.

Advantage Ladies

FE&MALE Sports Conference

The fourth edition of Advantage Ladies, the FE&MALE Sports Conference held as part of Upper Austria Ladies Linz, was once again a resounding success. High-calibre representatives from a wide range of sports such as Olympic skeleton champion Janine Flock, national football player Sarah Zadrazil and tennis coach Judy Murray joined experts from socially relevant areas such as the media (European Broadcasting Union) and academia on stage to discuss the topics of equal opportunities, gender balance and structural changes in sport in an interdisciplinary and practical manner.

Quotes

ADVANTAGE LADIES

„We women need the men and the men need us women, we should treat each other as equals, everyone has their strengths. It's about creating a framework in which the girls feel comfortable, in which they have the opportunity to communicate openly and certain topics are considered sensitively. We have to listen. The responsibility for this lies with all of us.“

„With the FE&MALE Sports Conference co-organised by Sport Austria, we are consciously taking concrete steps towards more diversity and genuine equal opportunities. Our goal is clear: to close the gender gap in sport step by step. For the fourth time, Linz was a central place of exchange where best practices were visualised, discussed and further developed."

„‚Equal pay‘ is a difficult topic from my point of view. We are currently working more towards ‚equal play‘, i.e. ensuring that we are allowed to work under the same conditions. Before we talk about equal pay, we first need to create the conditions for it. There are many clubs that don't yet support women's football well enough."

„We see that the earlier you get access to sport in your life, the more likely you are to stay involved in sport into old age. It's mainly men who play a formative role here in youth. We are certainly not yet at the end of the road to gender equality in sport. We assume that women - to stay with the tennis image - are more likely to have the second serve than they are to have the advantage."

Match Highlights

OSTAPENKO VS EALA

Inspiration

Talk with Lilli Tagger

What a special day: apprentices from six industrial companies in Upper Austria were guests at Upper Austria Ladies Linz yesterday. And that's not all: the apprentices had the opportunity to ask Lilli Tagger all their questions. Managing Director of the Upper Austrian Industrial Association, Joachim Haindl-Grutsch, emphasised that Lilli Tagger is an inspiration - in tennis, but also beyond.

CITY OF LINZ

TAKE A RISK

Linz is everything you might not expect at first glance. Multifaceted, colourful, loud and quiet, old and young. Here, steel meets baroque and organ meets hip-hop, dragons meet dwarves and Leberkäse meets cake, which is actually a cake. Some say that Linz is cynical and self-deprecating, others say that Linz is above all exciting. Linz is an invitation to discover. Once you have immersed yourself in its unique atmosphere, you will return again and again, fascinated. Visitors are carried away by the open atmosphere in the centre, the buildings from different eras, the diverse cultural offerings and the Danube, which is more than ever a part of Linz. Not only the baroque city centre and the modern museums are worth seeing, a trip up the Pöstlingberg is also a special experience.

Take a risk, visit Linz.

Anastasia Potapova

Backhand with left

Anastasia Potapova's best shot is undoubtedly her backhand - and there's a very special reason for that. The 25-year-old is actually left-handed and that is a huge advantage in her game.

„My coaches took the racket out of my left hand when I was younger because they couldn't deal with left-handers. Now I only use my right hand for stabilisation and my left hand does the work. It's a very natural stroke for me,“ explained the Austrian. This powerful backhand can be admired again tonight against Tamara Korpatsch.

Time for fans

Karolina Pliskova

Autograph hunt in the Design Centre: After her opening victory on Tuesday, Karolina Pliskova, Linz winner from 2014, took time for the tennis fans. Visitors were able to get signatures and photos at the Mühlviertel Region stand.

Mayor's reception

All of Upper Austria in the Design Centre

Nobody could miss this day of the round of 16! On Wednesday, the Design Centre hosted the reception for mayors from all over Upper Austria. Around 100 mayors attended the women's tennis classic alongside Dietmar Prammer, Mayor of the City of Linz. In cooperation with the regional newspaper Tips, this side event has been part of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tradition for many years!

Daily Spa vouchers from Therme Geinberg were raffled off among all attendees this year. The traditional Schlägl beer tapping was also a must: Hannes Humer, Mayor of Eschenau am Hausruck, was drawn by lot for this. Under the professional guidance of master brewer Karin Thaller, the beer flowed after two taps.

Praise from the highest authority

Congratulations

Markus Achleitner, State Councillor for Economic Affairs and Sport, took the opportunity to congratulate Lilli Tagger on her opening victory.

It was a small reunion for both of them. They had already met on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics.

Mirra Andreeva

Record-breaking

The number one of the tournament has delivered! Mirra Andreeva won her Linz debut against Sloane Stephens 6:4 and 6:2.

„It was a difficult match. She's a Grand Slam champion with a huge amount of experience. I'm just happy that I won. I wasn't really in my rhythm yet, but this was my first match on clay. It's so important to get these matches,“ summarised Andreeva, who served record-breaking fast. Her fastest serve of the match was measured at an impressive 199 km/h!

Quote

Ekaterina Alexandrova

„I'm very happy to be back in Linz. I love this tournament.”

35 years

Tournament history

The Linz women's tennis classic celebrated its premiere 35 years ago and today the Upper Austria Ladies Linz is the second oldest WTA indoor tournament in the world.

A walk through the exhibition arch in the Public Village offers a glimpse into the history of over three decades full of top-class matches, famous players and great moments. Not on site? No problem! The exhibition is also available online.

Video

Austria

Challenge

Supplier

Culinary delight

This is the perfect composition! Our outfitters offer all-round catering in the VIP area that leaves nothing to be desired. The product portfolio of Weingut Heribert Bayer ranges from classic wines to the new non-alcoholic flavour Zeronimo. The Upper Austrian company Peter Affenzeller will be providing aromatic gin in a variety of flavours. Those who also want something savoury can look forward to a varied selection of cheeses from Berglandmilch.

Upper Austria is blossoming!

Cool sustainability initiative! Once again this year, Oberösterreichische Versicherung will cover the cost of 1 m² of seed for every ace that is beaten.

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Presented by

Supporting programme

Today on the plant

9.00 to 11.30 a.m: Sport & fun with the stars - with Judy Murray, Babsi Schett & WTA player Zhang Shuai

TBA: Autograph session with a WTA player at the Mercedes stand

1.30 pm: School campaign presented by LINZ AG with Sorana Cirstea

5 to 6 pm: ORF Radio Oberösterreich wheel of fortune: Happy hour for ladies, shopping voucher to be won

5.15 pm: Beer tasting at the Schlägl Lounge

5.30 pm: OÖ Versicherung expert special talk in the cafeteria at the invitation of Kathrin Kühtreiber-Leitner, CEO of OÖ Versicherung, and Christine Haberlander (Deputy Governor of Upper Austria)

Sportland Upper Austria on site with „How fit are you?“ - Active station to join in!

Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour on site - goal kicking wall, football table football, wheel of fortune

ADMIRAL T-shirt booster at the centre court

DAILY ACTIONS:

Software Park Hagenberg: Try out VR tennis

Mercedes-Benz: Tennis ball gripper arm with signed tennis balls from Austrian players

The tournament on TV

Live there!

Stay on the ball with Upper Austria Ladies Linz! The broadcast times at a glance:

Thursday, 09.04.2026

ORF Sport + (14.00 - 17.55, Live)
ORF ON (14.00 - 18.30, Live)
ORF 1 (from 16.00: Match Lilli Tagger)

Friday, 10.04.2026

ORF Sport + (13.00 - 17.55, Live)
ORF ON (13.00 - 19.00, Live)

Saturday, 11.04.2026

ORF Sport + (15.30 - 19.00, Live)

Sunday, 12.04.2026

ORF 1 (13.45 - 16.00, Live Day 6, Final)
ORF ON (13.45 - 17.00, Live Day 6, Final)

*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? Then pick up a free copy at the Info Point! Click on the button to access the online version of our programme.