It's too good to be true! For the first time in 35 Two Austrians face each other in the quarter-finals of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.
Anastasia Potapova, the 2023 Linz winner, meets Lilli Tagger. We tell you all about the new boom in Austrian women's tennis!
It really didn't take much for the roof to fly off when Lilli Tagger converted her match point. The player from Lienz defeated Liudmilla Samsonova, a top 20 player, for the first time in her career (6:2, 7:6) and turned the Linz tennis temple into a real cauldron. Already in the middle of the second set, the „Lilli La Ola“ swept through the arena - and the 18-year-old joined in enthusiastically. A scene that epitomised the perfect blend of composure and concentration that Tagger displayed at her first clay court event at WTA level.
Lilli Tagger
„It was a really crazy game, but I think I managed it very well, also with the help of the crowd. It feels like a dream to me. I haven't realised it yet. But I'm playing my best tournament at this level right now,“ said Tagger after a nerve-wracking match and was celebrated frenetically by the Linz tennis fans.
Everyone agreed: Lilli Tagger could once again live up to the old saying „It all starts in Linz“. By reaching the quarter-finals, she has made it into the top 100 in the world and will be in the main draw at the French Open. Incidentally, the very brave are already making connections with Coco Gauff, who won her first WTA title in Linz in 2019...
Today, however, a historic match awaits. The last time two Austrians reached the quarter-finals was back in 1995.
31 years later, the time has come again: an Austrian will definitely be in the semi-finals on Saturday. Incidentally, the last red-white-red semi-finalist was Judith Wiesner-Floimair in 1997. Anything seems to be possible in the duel between the two doubles partners today and you, dear fans, may also be torn as to who you should give your heart to for this match.
Anastasia Potapova, who lifted the 2023 winner's trophy, certainly did everything she could in her two matches to play her way into the hearts of the Linz tennis crowd. A good serve, a lot of offence with access to the net and a backhand that is perhaps even the best in the entire field of participants - Anastasia Potapova is characterised by all of this. Just like Tagger, she has yet to lose a set.
Anastasia Potapova
The quarter-finals will be opened at 1 pm by Jelena Ostapenko, who triumphed two years ago at the Design Centre in Linz and would love to add to her trophy collection. She is the favourite against Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The fact that the match will be played on clay indoors for the first time in Linz is a perfect constellation for the Latvian.
The second Romanian on the day is Sorana Cirstea, who is back on top form in the final year of her career and will take to the court against Mirra Andreeva, who is ranked tenth in the world. Fun fact: 36-year-old Cirstea is twice as old as her opponent and is now asking Andreeva to take part in a generational duel.
In the last match of the day, a well-rested Donna Vekic (she had Thursday off due to Anhelina Kalinina's cancellation through illness) will face the 2014 tournament winner Karolina Pliskova. Both have been struggling with form crises and injuries recently and have a great chance to rebuild lost confidence today. The battle for one of the coveted four places in the semi-finals is on!
Age: 25
Born in: Saratov, Russia
World ranking position: 97
Greatest success: Winner Upper Austria Ladies Linz (2023)
Age: 18
Born in: Lienz, Austria
World ranking position: 117
Greatest success: Junior winner Roland Garros (2025)
Mirra Andreeva has been preparing for the start of the clay court season at the Design Centre since last Friday. It was a definite success with her smooth two-set victory over Sloane Stephens on Wednesday.
In between, there was also a little time to explore the Upper Austrian capital: „On Easter Sunday, I went for a walk through Linz and saw lots of beautiful, historic buildings. Unfortunately, the shops were closed,“ said the 18-year-old, who otherwise subordinates everything to success: „Usually my day just consists of training and hotel, back and forth. On Wednesday after training, I got to the hotel at 1pm and didn't leave my hotel room after that. Then I slept for 12 hours. That's all I need!”
So we can expect a well-rested tournament favourite today!
As part of the „Sport & Fun with the Tennis Stars“ series of events, kindergarten children from Linz were invited to the world-class women's tennis tournament yesterday.
Together with tennis coach Judy Murray, tournament ambassador Babsi Schett and professional player Zhang Shuai, the kids were able to try out tennis and let off steam.
Ele„, the mascot of Oberösterreichische Versicherung AG, also paid a visit. Of course, a healthy snack afterwards was a must.
A big thank you to the City of Linz and Deputy Mayor Karin Leitner for making this possible!
TAGGER VS SAMSONOVA
At the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2026, Karina Toth will guide fans through the tournament day at the Design Centre. Whether it's player introductions, information on side events or match line-ups - Karina Toth puts the goosebump moments that happen on centre court into words and takes the fans through the day. Great to have you here!
On Thursday, it was time again for the school event presented by LINZ AG. After Sorana Cirstea received a warm welcome with a little belated birthday serenade, the pupils were able to ask her questions - in English and even in Romanian.
In addition to her answers to questions such as “Who was your toughest opponent?” or “What do you eat after the games?”, the 36-year-old also had some heartfelt advice for the youngsters: “My wish for you is that you find your passion in life and then work really hard for it. Then you can all achieve your dreams!”
The winner of the 35th edition of the Linz women's tennis tournament can look forward to a unique crystal trophy from Swarovski. The extraordinary trophy, which is 40 cm high and weighs 3.5 kilograms, combines modern elegance with expressive symbolism. The design consists of three harmoniously balanced elements that together epitomise the dynamism and brilliance of tennis.
The trophy is crowned by a tennis ball that is studded all over with fine Swarovski crystals. The hunt is on for this very special piece of jewellery!
Another visit by a member of the government from Vienna to Upper Austria Ladies Linz:
After Family Minister Claudia Bauer, Alexander Pröll, State Secretary for Digitalisation, also visited Tournament Director Sandra Reichel and Tournament Ambassador Barbara Schett to find out more about Austria's most important women's sporting event.
A visit to Austria's biggest women's sporting event was a must for the HC Linz AG handball team. Great that you were there! We keep our fingers crossed for the rest of the season in the HLA Meisterliga!
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.
While the more than 2000 tennis fans at the Design Centre enthusiastically supported Lilli Tagger, one person was the calmest. Francesca Schiavone, French Open winner in 2010 and Lilli Tagger's coach, hardly made a face during the East Tyrolean's match, but was always there when she was needed. Even after winning the first set against Liudmila Samsonova, the Italian, who has been coaching Tagger since autumn 2023, only raised her fist once. Then it was straight back to business.
„It's not about changing tactics in the tight moments. She talks me through it, is positive and always supports me. When I look over at her, she gives me a feeling of calm and composure. That's really good for me,“ explains Tagger.
Oberösterreichische Versicherung AG invited various female experts to the Design Centre in Linz on Thursday.
At the „OÖ Versicherung Expertinnen Special Talk“ under the motto “faster, higher, further”, the women in management positions exchanged views on their careers and talked about how they can push boundaries and support each other.
A fantastic opportunity for networking!
That was really close! Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus were unfortunate to lose in the doubles quarter-finals to the Czech combination of Jesika Maleckova and Miriam Skoch. The Austrian duo got off to a really good start on Match Court 1, but ultimately lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-10 despite leading the set.
Maleckova/Skoch will now face Liang En-Shu (Taiwan) and Yang Zhaoxuan (China) in the semi-finals. Too bad, Julia & Sinja - nice that you were there! We're already looking forward to next year!
Upper Austria's impressive landscape is an endless treasure trove! Whether hiking through the Salzkammergut, cycling along the Danube or diving into crystal-clear lakes - here, exercise and relaxation merge into a unique summer experience. Between peaks, forests and water landscapes, everyone will find their own personal adventure.
Sports enthusiasts in Upper Austria are right in the thick of things instead of just being there. Are you looking for exciting experiences for 2026? We have some suggestions for a varied trip here:
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.
Take a look behind the scenes of a world-class tennis tournament! This was possible for guests of Business Upper Austria on Thursday: presenter Ullrich Jelinek guided the visitors through the rooms and corridors that normally remain hidden to fans. The Players Lounge, the press office and other important places were not left out!
Pliskova VS Alexandrova
Cool sustainability initiative! Once again this year, Oberösterreichische Versicherung will cover the cost of 1 m² of seed for every ace that is beaten.
Presented by
TBA: Autograph session at the LINZ AG stand
5.15 pm: Beer tasting at the Schlägl Lounge
Wheel of fortune (Frankenmarkter)
ORF Radio Oberösterreich wheel of fortune: Happy hour for ladies, thermal spa voucher (Therme Geinberg) to be won
DAILY ACTIONS:
Software Park Hagenberg: Try out VR tennis
Mercedes-Benz: Tennis ball gripper arm with signed tennis balls from Austrian players
Stay on the ball with Upper Austria Ladies Linz! The broadcast times at a glance:
Friday, 10.04.2026
Saturday, 11.04.2026
Sunday, 12.04.2026
*Programme subject to change
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.
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