The tournament's top three seeded players and a former winner will battle it out for a place in the final of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2024.
Who will take a decisive step closer to the brand new winner's trophy today?
Donna Vekic
Donna Vekic has definitely been working towards today for a while. In her seventh appearance at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, she reached the semi-finals for the first time - and without losing a set. However, she made life a little more difficult than absolutely necessary against Clara Burel. After leading 6:0, 3:1, she converted her first match point in the tiebreak of the second set. "The second set didn't really surprise me, I always kind of live on the edge," smiled Vekic afterwards and was especially glad that she hadn't hurt herself worse when she fell a little while trying to make a stop. "Fortunately, nothing really happened during the fall. I only broke a few fingernails. It looked a bit worse than it was and I think I'll be fit again tomorrow. Now we'll probably play a bit of Uno, which I've always won in the last few days. And I like to win." She wants to continue this today in the semi-finals. After all, not only does she have the opportunity to reach a final again for the first time since the tournament in Berlin last summer, but a win today would also see her return to the world's top 25.
Her opponent today, Ekaterina Alexandrova, has been seeded in this section of the rankings for some time. The semi-final in Linz is almost a habit for the 29-year-old. She has reached the last four for the fourth time today, first dominating Jule Niemeier and then showing nerves of steel against defending champion Anastasia Potapova in the second set. "It was so close in the end, but I just tried not to get angry and just look ahead. I'm just happy that it was enough," said Alexandrova after the win against her compatriot. A powerful baseline game with great length and a lot of consistency - these are the most important success factors in the game of the 1.75 metre tall right-hander, who is always able to play her best tennis, especially in indoor tournaments. This was also the case in Linz! In addition, the proximity to her home town of Prague makes the tournament a real home match. But that also applies to Vekic, who has virtually her entire family in the pit to support her and has won two of her last three duels with Alexandrova. Vekic last prevailed in Stuttgart last year in two tight tiebreaks. However, Alexandrova won the only duel in the hall (St. Petersburg 2020). As you can see, anything is possible in this match.
Ekaterina Alexandrova
The second semi-final guarantees power tennis at its very best! When top seeds Jelena Ostapenko and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova face each other, the balls and the court are on fire. After a complicated start in the round of 16 against Clara Tauson, Ostapenko had no major difficulties against Jodie Burrage yesterday. However, the Brit was clearly hampered by an adductor injury from the final phase of the first set. However, Ostapenko focussed on her own performance and was happy in the end that she was able to save some energy. "I felt really tired on court on Thursday, but I fought to the end. I played a really good match today. My opponent was in really good form. Of course, there were a few mistakes here and there, but that's relatively normal after my recent endeavours," said Ostapenko, who has already taken a look at the new winner's trophy. "It looks really beautiful and I like anything that glitters and flashes. But I'm not going to think too far ahead, I have to recover quickly now so that I'm fit tomorrow," said Ostapenko, who knows exactly how hard it will be today.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova seems to have regained the form that made her the winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in 2015. Or is she perhaps playing even better? Even after her success against Elise Mertens, "Pavly" is still without a set loss and left the fans somewhat astonished. Not only did she dominate with tremendous vigour, she really enjoyed her performance. "I'm so happy with my performance. I even started laughing in between. That doesn't happen that often. It's just so much fun here, but my friend was always laughing outside too and that's really good for me," said the 2021 French Open finalist, who hasn't won a title since spring 2018, back in Strasbourg. To achieve this goal here in Linz of all places, she will certainly need a similar performance to yesterday against an established top 15 player.
Whoever comes out on top in the end, this semi-final day will be a real tennis spectacle!
Age: 27
Born in: Osijek, Croatia
World ranking position: 34
Greatest success: Two Grand Slam quarter-finals
Age: 29
Born in: Chelyabinsk, Russia
World ranking position: 21
Greatest success: Round of 16 Wimbledon (2023)
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.
Very personal:
"Donna Vekic has a certain lightness of touch, likes to have fun and enjoys approaching other people. When you see her, you can't help but laugh. I particularly like the fact that she harmonises so well with her parents and that they are also here."
And on the pitch?
"She played very well and is now in the semi-finals here for the first time. She's very focussed and plays very aggressively."
Very personal:
"She is an incredibly nice and rather introverted person. She doesn't want to be the centre of attention, but feels very much at home here in Linz."
And on the pitch?
"She's a player who never gives up and can adapt very well to her opponent's pace. She's a real touchstone for all the players."
Age: 26
Born in: Riga, Latvia
World ranking position: 12
Greatest success: Roland Garros winner (2017)
Age: 32
Born in: Samara, Russia
World ranking position: 42
Greatest success: Roland Garros Final (2021)
Very personal:
"Off the pitch, she is totally relaxed and uncomplicated. She's also here with her family and you see her laughing a lot."
And on the pitch?
"You can't really read her playing, and she plays incredibly powerfully. There's a lot of power behind it!"
Very personal:
"She enjoys being on the tour, she goes to see things in the city and enjoys life. I just love that."
And on the pitch?
"The way she played in the quarter-finals was unbelievable. She brought so much power to the game and is actually the tournament favourite for me."
Ostapenko
vs.
Burrage
Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
The first tickets for the final are booked! The Italians Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini are the first pairing to reach the doubles final of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The duo won clearly in the semi-finals 6:1, 7:5 against the combination of Anna-Lena Friedsam (Germany) and Nadiia Kichenok (Ukraine).
And there could even be an all-Italian final! Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) and Ellen Perez (Australia) face Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Martina Trevisan (both Italy) in the second doubles semi-final today (not before 5.30 pm).
Tournament director Sandra Reichel and Ana Ivanovic in 2008.
Welcome back to Linz! Ana Ivanovic was crowned tournament winner twice in the heart of Upper Austria! In 2008 and 2010, the Serbian was unbeatable at Austria's biggest women's sporting event.
She reached the final here again in 2013 (against Angelique Kerber). Today, the former world number one returns to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz - not as a player, but still close to her fans, who can look forward to autograph sessions with the popular favourite both on today's semi-final day and around tomorrow's final.
You should make a note of the following time:
Nice to have you back with us, Ana!
This will be a special highlight! For the third time, wheelchair tennis will be part of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz programme. Today, a special "Wheelchair Nations Cup" will be played with the best wheelchair tennis players from Austria and Germany. A team dinner was held yesterday.
The inclusion event is once again being supported this year by Volkshilfe Oberösterreich.
Come and watch the mixed doubles on Centre Court at 1.00 pm (and the singles matches on Match Court 1 from 3.00 pm) and experience the fascination of wheelchair tennis!
Anastasia Potapova was unbeaten in seven matches at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. However, the 2023 defending champion ran out of steam in yesterday's quarter-finals and lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova. Who knows, maybe she can compete for the WTA tournament title in Linz again next year. Nice to have you here, dear Anastasia!
A tennis tournament is the perfect opportunity to test your own fitness level. And that is exactly what is possible today and tomorrow in the public area thanks to the Upper Austrian "How fit are you?" initiative. Visitors can test their dexterity and coordination at four stations. By the way: great prizes will be raffled off among all those who successfully complete the points pass!
This has been part of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tradition for many years! 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!
This is the perfect composition! Our outfitters offer a perfect all-round service in the VIP area. The product portfolio of Kattus & Select Aperitivo ranges from classic sparkling wine and light frizzante to secco and Italian prosecco. In contrast, the Upper Austrian company Peter Affenzeller provides aromatic gin in a variety of flavours. For those who want to enjoy a special wine, the Leo Hillinger winery has a large selection to choose from. Got a taste for it? Click here to go to the shops.
All online ticket buyers who purchased their ticket for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in December were entered into a prize draw to win a pair of Fischer skis as part of a Christmas special. The prize went to Marcel Hasl (right) and was ceremoniously presented yesterday by Fischer Ski Manager Lukas Meingast (left).
Cool sustainability initiative! For every ace beaten, Oberösterreichische Versicherung covers the cost of a honeycomb for a young beekeeper.
Current status:
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Stay on top of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz with ORF Sport Plus! The broadcast times at a glance:
Saturday, 3 February 2024
From 2.00 pm (ORF Sport Plus)
Sunday, 4 February 2024
From 2.00 pm (ORF Sport Plus)
The matches can also be streamed on the ORF TVthek. With just one click, you can be there live on centre court.
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.
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Maximilianstrasse 30
4600 Wels
Austria
Contact
Impress
Privacy policy