Just 23-year-old Dayana Yastremska has just celebrated the biggest success of her young career. The Ukrainian, who has previously been ranked among the top 30 in the world, marched sensationally from qualifying to the semi-finals at the Australian Open. After the fairytale dream run in the heat of Melbourne, she now wants to build on this performance at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.
Dayana Yastremska on her arrival
Dayana Yastremska probably hasn't really realised what has been happening around her over the last few weeks. The days in "Down Under" have been too turbulent, as things have really gone from strength to strength. With eight victories, she stormed from qualifying through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. When she arrived in Linz, the first thing she had to do was get over the stresses and strains of the long journey. Shortly afterwards, she explained to media representatives how she was feeling after the exhausting Grand Slam tournament: "I actually slept quite well and got over the jet lag quickly. Now, of course, I hope that I play better than I did in my last appearances here," said Yastremska, recalling the years 2020 and 2021, when she lost in round one in Upper Austria. But now the signs are different! The Ukrainian is more confident on court than ever before - and that makes her even more dangerous. But her thoughts are always with her family in the Ukrainian war zone. After the tournament, she wants to visit her loved ones in Odessa again. But for now, her full focus is on the Upper Austria Ladies Linz - preferably until the weekend. She is the favourite against her opening opponent Erika Andreeva, but even as an Australian Open semi-finalist you have to work hard for every victory.
Incidentally, this also applies to last year's winner. Anastasia Potapova did not have an easy start to the 2024 tennis year. In Brisbane, she had to retire in the quarter-finals against Elena Rybakina with a groin injury, and she had not yet found her rhythm again at the Australian Open. In Linz, she is now looking to build on the memories of her previous year's coup. The 22-year-old enjoyed her first few days in the Upper Austrian capital, not only attending the draw but also visiting the Old Cathedral. Today she wants to pick up where she left off last year at the Design Centre against the experienced Sara Errani. She showed great stamina in four matches over the full distance. That could also be a decisive key to a successful tournament this year.
Anastasia Potapova at her autograph session yesterday
Ekaterina Alexandrova is definitely one of the top favourites. She starts the tournament today (not before 6.30 pm) against the German qualifier Jule Niemeier. She already got used to the conditions in the Design Centre yesterday in the doubles, now it's time to do the same in the singles! The current world number 21 celebrated her biggest successes in Upper Austria in the TipsArena. In 2018, she first lost to Camila Giorgi in the final, before reaching the semi-finals twice. Most recently (2021 and 2023), however, she failed twice in a row at the opening hurdle. And her opponent is also extremely dangerous today. Jule Niemeier wants to get back to the top and, with three wins in a row, is on a run that she hasn't enjoyed for some time. "I've been able to improve from match to match and I'd say it was one of the best matches I've played recently," she said after her success against Anna Blinkova. In any case, the winner has a day off as a reward - she doesn't have to play again until the quarter-finals on Friday.
Four other players are also already in contention for a place in the last eight: British player Joddie Burrage seems to be unstoppable in Linz these days. After two wins in qualifying, she caused a real surprise yesterday with her impressive victory against seventh seed Varvara Gracheva. She would love to continue her run of success today against "lucky loser" Jaqueline Cristian. "The fact that I played the qualifiers here helped me a lot. This is my second time here in Linz and I'm really enjoying it," said the 24-year-old, who will also be cheering on her good friend Katie Boulter today.
Like her opponent today, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Boulter, the British number one, already put down a powerful marker on Monday. Both have taken their good form from the Australian summer into the Austrian winter. This match promises to be a real treat - we are looking forward to pure power tennis and an eventful day of tennis!
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Age: 29
Born in: Chelyabinsk, Russia
World ranking position: 21
Greatest success: Round of 16 Wimbledon 2023
Age: 24
Born in: Dortmund, Germany
World ranking position: 129
Greatest success: Wimbledon quarter-finals (2022)
TAUSON
vs.
GIORGI
That's another exclamation mark for women's sport in Austria! This year's FE&MALE Sports Conference under the motto "Advantage Ladies" is the second edition of a top-class, all-day conference on women's sport. Today, Wednesday, the event will be taken to a new level as part of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz thanks to a new thematic focus.
Out with lots of applause! Sinja Kraus more than justified her wildcard despite a clear defeat against Clara Burel from France. The 21-year-old Viennese showed a great performance, especially in the second set, but still lost 1:6, 4:6. Even if an Austrian victory in the singles at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz is still a long time coming after almost eleven years, Sinja Kraus can certainly go into the next challenges stronger than ever.
"I think everyone could see that I was nervous. It's always difficult when you're always playing on a back court somewhere in the world, then all of a sudden you're at home and everyone expects something from you," Kraus analysed. We wish you all the best for 2024 and look forward to seeing you again next year!
Tom Arnoldner (Deputy Editor-in-Chief of OÖN), Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, Thomas Ziegler (Managing Director of the Design Centre) and Tournament Ambassador Barbara Schett
500 - this year, everything at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz revolves around this number. And sustainability is also at the top of the list at the largest green sporting event in Austria. That's why the tournament is sponsoring 500 trees for the OÖN tree-planting campaign, which has already handed over and planted 50,000 seedlings to forest owners in Upper Austria. A cool, green campaign!
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 Klaus Luger, Mayor of the City of Linz. After a beer tapping with the Schlägl Abbey Brewery and a Kornspitz snack from Backaldrin, there was plenty of time for networking and the evening match on centre court. A successful Tuesday evening!
Marion Maruska (ÖTV Sports Coordinator), Anna Pircher, Barbara Schett, Sandra Reichel
Honour to whom honour is due! The ÖTV Young Player 2023 was honoured at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz: Anna Pircher, who is currently ranked third in the Tennis Europe rankings, reached the semi-finals of the Tennis Europe Super Category U14 tournament in Tarbes just last weekend. Evelyn Fauth, on the other hand, was honoured as ÖTV Coach of the Year 2023. Fauth has been coaching Styrian talent since 2006 and is primarily responsible for young female players. Congratulations to her!
Marion Maruska (ÖTV sports coordinator), Evelyn Fauth, Barbara Schett, Sandra Reichel
Camila Giorgi and Anastasia Potapova have already been given an exclusive look at this year's trophy. The trophy with a tennis ball made of 8,100 gold-coloured, hand-set Swarovski crystals was designed by Swarovski's master craftsmen at the company's Tyrolean headquarters in Wattens. Naturally, the trophy was not to be missed during a photo shoot in front of the Bruckner organ in the Old Cathedral!
Would you also like to experience Upper Austria and the super cultural year around the 200th birthday of Anton Bruckner? Click here to go to the culture website.
It wasn't meant to be: Former world number one Angelique Kerber was eliminated in her first round match against a superb Lucia Bronzetti. "I made far too many mistakes and didn't get into the match at all. There are days like that, but it's a shame and disappointing that it was today," Kerber summarised afterwards. Good luck for the next tournaments and hopefully see you soon!
Sport unites, that's for sure! That's why representatives of Sportland Oberösterreich were at the women's tennis classic yesterday. Between the exciting matches, there was time to hang out in the public area. In the evening match, the Austrian Sinja Kraus received special support. The Steelvolleys Linz Steeg women's volleyball team, the HC Linz Ag men's and women's handball teams and individual athletes such as table tennis team player Karoline Mischek were on site.
At the invitation of the Upper Austrian State Sports Director Gerhard Rumetshofer, the state sports officers from all Austrian states and the head of the Federal Ministry of Sports Philipp Trattner were at Upper Austria Ladies Linz yesterday. Great that you were here!
Exclusive networking: yesterday's "Cyber Resilience Forum" offered a rare opportunity to network with leading experts as part of the tournament and gain exciting and innovative insights into the topics of cyber and information security. Of course, a visit to the evening matches of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz was not to be missed.
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 with Peter Affenzeller
Backaldrin will be at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz with various Kornspitz promotions throughout the week of the tournament.
Winter is far from over. And with it the best prospects for a varied leisure time. Action and exercise on and off the slopes. Cultural fun in cities and in the countryside, relaxation in one of the thermal spas and health hotels, savouring fine regional cuisine. And all with a dash of decelerated cosiness that is so typical of Upper Austria. Skiing and good things from Upper Austria's cuisine can be enjoyed at events such as the hut gourmet tour "Der Kasberg kocht" on 2 March or the nostalgic ski race on 23 March.
Collect points now, win and plan your trip with the Upperguide
Cool sustainability initiative! For every ace beaten, Oberösterreichische Versicherung covers the cost of a honeycomb for a young beekeeper.
Presented by
9.00-18.00: Fe&Male Sports Conference
From 11.00 a.m.: Various ADMIRAL activities on and next to the centre court
15.30: Autograph session at the fan shop with Clara Tauson
Stay on top of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz with ORF Sport Plus! The broadcast times at a glance:
Wednesday, 31 January 2024
From 3.55 pm (ORF Sport Plus)
Thursday, 1 February 2024
From 13.55 (ORF Sport Plus)
Friday, 2 February 2024
From 12.55 pm (ORF Sport Plus)
From 13.35 (ORF1)
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