Jelena Ostapenko is the new queen of Linz! The top seeded world number twelve won the premiere of the WTA 500 tournament in Upper Austria in dominant style on Sunday. In the final of the two top seeds, the 2017 French Open winner from Latvia defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6:2, 6:3 in just 70 minutes at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. "I played in the final here five years ago and didn't get the winner's trophy, but this trophy is much nicer this year anyway," joked the 26-year-old from Riga with her new Swarovski trophy in her hand. Ostapenko had already revealed on her arrival in Linz that she collects Swarovski figurines and had her eye on the iconic customised piece from the Austrian global brand. Now there was a happy ending!

"A big thank you to Sandra Reichel and her team, they spoil us and always look after us so well. I hope to be here again next year," said Ostapenko during the festive Trophy Ceremony to great applause. The Design Centre Linz was sold out for the third day in a row with 2500 spectators. In addition to the trophy, which was adorned with 8,100 gold-coloured crystals, she also took home prize money of 123,480 euros. The defeated Alexandrova was a very fair loser: "Congratulations to Jelena, she played brilliantly. Thanks to the fans, it was great fun to play in Linz again." Alexandrova had already reached the final in the city on the Danube in 2018 (against Camila Giorgi at the time). The world number 21 lives not far away in Prague and is a regular at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.

On Upper Austria Day, Grieskirchen singer-songwriter Ina Regen provided the musical backdrop to the final, while tennis legend Ana Ivanovic was honoured in advance on centre court and interviewed by tournament ambassador Barbara Schett. The 2008 and 2010 Linz winner, who had already completed a photo shoot in the Schlossmuseum earlier in the day, also took over the coin toss before the singles final together with Upper Austria's Governor Thomas Stelzer. Other guests of honour included Markus Achleitner, Upper Austrian Councillor for Economic Affairs and Sports, Klaus Luger, Mayor of Linz, Karin Hörzing, Deputy Mayor of Linz, Dr Jutta Rinner, CEO of LINZ AG, Othmar Nagl, CEO of LINZ AG, and Kathrin Kühtreiber-Leitner, CEO of Oberösterreichische Versicherung.

They saw a typical Ostapenko match with powerful strokes and enormous speed. The Australian Open doubles finalist had only dropped a set in her opening match on Thursday evening: In the match, which lasted until after midnight, she had won 3:6, 6:4 and 7:6 (9:7) against the young Danish star Clara Tauson in the end and even had to fend off a match point, despite jet lag. "That's what makes a champion, that you still fight your way through. After that I realised that I could win this tournament. And now I have the trophy!" It will take pride of place in her living room in Riga. "The trophy is so beautiful, I don't have to hide it. I'll put it in a place where I can always see it," said the Latvian with a penchant for interior design.
 
In the doubles final of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, the Italians Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini challenged the number one seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) and Ellen Perez (Australia). With Errani's routine and Paolini's carefree attitude, the unseeded duo finally claimed the doubles triumph with 7:5, 4:6 and 10:8. The doubles also took place in front of an almost full house. All four doubles players raved about the atmosphere in Linz. Melichar-Martinez had the best words of praise: "Thanks to Sandra! She is probably the best tournament organiser on the whole tour!"

At the final winners' ceremony, tournament director Sandra Reichel received the symbolic "Aces for Bees" donation from Kathrin Kühtreiber-Leitner, CEO of Oberösterreichische Versicherung. 346 aces were hit during the tournament, but Oberösterreichische rounded this up to 700. This means that 700 honeycombs will be handed over to beekeepers in Upper Austria. This campaign is part of the sustainability philosophy of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, which was once again certified as a "Green Event" this year.