29 January 2025
Admiral

Inside Out

Second Austrian serves

Do it again, Sinja!

Can Sinja Kraus continue her run of success in Linz? After Julia Grabher, the second Austrian will now also be competing in the main draw of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. After two wins in qualifying, the Viennese will go into her first match in the main competition against Anna Blinkova today (not before 2pm) with plenty of confidence and is already looking forward to another home match, which should of course include loud support from the fans.

 

The 22-year-old wants to capitalise on the fact that she has performed really well in the two matches so far and left a lasting impression. Yesterday, however, the focus was first and foremost on regeneration in order to be well rested for a double shift today. Kraus not only has the chance today to reach the last 16 of a WTA 500 tournament for the first time in her career, but will also be on court in the doubles. Together with Julia Grabher, she forms the "Austria Duo" in this year's competition. The pair will face Katarzyna Piter from Poland and Fanny Stollar from Hungary on Match Court 1.

Maria Sakkari at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023

In the evening, Maria Sakkari will also take part in the tournament. The best Greek tennis player of all time and Linz semi-finalist from 2023 urgently needs match practice after her long injury break due to shoulder surgery - and she now wants to get it in Upper Austria. "To be honest, I didn't think it would be so difficult. But something like this takes time. I have to regain my self-confidence through success," says the two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist. The first match will be against Viktoriya Tomova from Bulgaria, who got off to a promising start against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro from Spain on Monday. Incidentally, this match is the second round of 16 to be played today. The two Linz regulars Sorana Cirstea and Clara Tauson will be playing for a place in the quarter-finals from 4 pm.

Katerina Siniakova

Incidentally, today it's particularly worth being there right from the start: Katerina Siniakova, the newly crowned Australian Open doubles winner, will be in Linz. The Czech, who already won the doubles competition in Linz in 2019, celebrated her tenth Grand Slam title together with Taylor Townsend on Sunday, travelled to Linz from Melbourne on Monday and will now play her first round match against Armenian Elina Avanesyan today at 12 noon. After all, what better way to combat jet lag than a round of tennis?

Match of the Day

Sinja
Kraus

Age: 22

Born in: Vienna, Austria

World ranking position: 211

Greatest success: Nine ITF titles 

Anna
Blinkova

Age: 26

Born in: Moscow, Russia

World ranking position: 83

Greatest success: A WTA title

Balance sheet

0 : 0

Match Highlights

Martic

vs.

LYS

Quotes

Maria Sakkari

Advantage Ladies

Fe&Male Sports Conference

That's another exclamation mark for women's sport in Austria! This year's FE&MALE Sports Conference under the motto "Successful together" is the third edition of a top-class, all-day conference centred around women's sport.  

This Wednesday, prominent speakers will be discussing the investment potential, opportunities and future viability of sport and the potential that women's sport can contribute to this. 

Tournament Ambassador

Barbara Schett

From Melbourne to Linz: Barbara Schett arrived at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz on Monday evening. As tournament ambassador for Austria's biggest women's sporting event, Barbara Schett is celebrating her 20th anniversary this year. Great to have you with us again this year!

Sumi on Tour

Backaldrin x Upper Austria Ladies Linz

A very special look at the WTA 500 tournament: Christoph "Sumi" Sumann, the former Austrian biathlete, went on a very special tour of the Design Centre yesterday. His programme included an interview with Katerina Siniakova and a conversation with a referee at the tournament. Of course, he also picked up a racket himself! Sumann was allowed to play the first winner of the day, Clara Tauson, and return three serves. He played two out of three returns into the court - so nothing stands in the way of a second sporting career!    

Christoph Sumann
Christoph Sumann in conversation
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Clara Tauson and Christoph Sumann

Mayor's reception

A warm welcome!

This event is already part of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tradition: the Mayor's Reception! Thanks to the support of our partner TipsRegional, the politicians of Upper Austria were guests yesterday and were welcomed by tournament director Sandra Reichel and Dietmar Prammer, Mayor of the City of Linz. After a beer tapping with Stiftsbrauerei Schlägl and refreshments from Frankenmarkter, there was plenty of time for networking and a visit to the evening match on centre court. A successful Tuesday evening!

Julia Grabher

Out with applause!

Anastasia Potapova, the winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023, was a size too big for Julia Grabher. The 23-year-old Potapova impressively demonstrated in the Design Centre how well the conditions in Linz suit her and won 6:2, 6:2 against the Austrian wildcard player after 67 minutes. For the current world number 33, it was her eighth win in her ninth match in Linz. Grabher left no stone unturned with the support of the vociferous crowd, but too often lost out to her opponent's flat and powerful game.

"It was a bit bitter that I lost my first two service games in the first and second sets. That's simply poison against such an opponent. Nevertheless, I had the chance to come back in the first set. If I could keep it close, then I would get more from my opponent. She placed the balls well and served strongly and unfortunately I had little access."
Julia Grabher

Elina Svitolina

Welcome to Linz

It's been a long time! In 2013, Elina Svitolina was a guest in Linz for the only time so far. Back then, she reached the round of 16, but was beaten by Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain. She is now returning to Upper Austria after around twelve years - and with big goals! After returning to the tour in spring 2023 just five and a half months after the birth of her daughter Skai, the Ukrainian would never have dreamed of being able to compete for the biggest trophies in the tennis world again in such a short space of time. All the better that she is returning to Linz after such a long time!

Special experience

Excursion

A look behind the scenes of the WTA 500 tournament: This was possible for members of the Pensioners' & Senior Citizens' Association yesterday. After a reception by tournament ambassador Barbara Schett, they were shown rooms, such as the press centre, that are normally hidden from visitors. An all-round successful excursion!

Segafredo

Coffee enjoyment

Whether as a morning pick-me-up or as a break filler - delicious coffee promises an unmistakable flavour every time. So 

This year, the Segafredo stand at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz will be offering visitors the coffee of their choice in reusable cups - making the coffee taste even better!

 

Challenge

Players

in focus 

Quotes

Sinja Kraus

Local

Flavour from Upper Austria

Nothing goes better with the Upper Austria Ladies Linz than regional products from Upper Austria! This year, several Upper Austrian exhibitors will be at the start in the Public Area: Leberkas Pepi will provide a juicy snack for in between, while Schlägl is the official beer partner this year. Those who prefer whisky and gin will get their money's worth in the VIP at Peter Affenzeller. There is something for all tastes here!

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RADIO ORF UPPER AUSTRIA

Sports meeting point

Yesterday's "Treffpunkt Sport" was attended by some very special guests, including Markus Achleitner, Councillor for Economic Affairs and Sport: 

Sophie Maas (Linz Steg Volleyball), Susanne Gogl Walli (track and field athlete), Katharina Mayr (captain LASK women), Sinja Kraus, Councillor for Economics and Sports Markus Achleitner, tournament ambassador Barbara Schett, tournament director Sandra Reichel, (from left). 

The programme will be broadcast on ORF Radio Upper Austria this Wednesday at 8pm. 

City of Linz

City trip into the future

Linz surprises, inspires and changes: whether on a boat on the Danube, at marvellous concerts high above the city, with a spray can in the graffiti gallery or experimenting in the museums. 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. The riverbanks are both a place of recreation and culture: while the bars and restaurants invite visitors to linger during the day, the illuminated facades of the museums amaze onlookers at night. Just like the exhibitions, which range from contemporary works in the Lentos Art Museum to the innovative developments of the future in the Ars Electronica Centre. A little further downstream in the industrial harbour, a different kind of art project can be seen: "Mural Harbor" is Europe's largest graffiti and muralismo gallery with more than 100 spray-painted works along the harbour basin. Once you have immersed yourself in the unique atmosphere, you will be fascinated to return again and again.

For the fans

Anastasia Potapova at the LINZ AG stand

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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
29 January 2025

Admiral

Today on the plant

  • 9.00-17.30: Fe&Male Sports Conference

  • Various ADMIRAL promotions on and off the centre court

  • After the third match: ÖTV coach of the year award at centre court

 

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:

Wednesday, 29 January 2025
from 14.00 hrs ORF Sport Plus & ORF ON)
from 19.05 (ORF 1)

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