LINZ/STARNBERG, February 5, 2024
Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia captured the title of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The top seed of the WTA 500 tournament defeated No. 2 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 6-2, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final.
Ostapenko sent down six aces and won 74 per cent of her first-service points to seal victory in one hour and 10 minutes.
That winning moment 💪@JelenaOstapenk8 | #WTALinz pic.twitter.com/PyxeX8snZs
— #WTALinz (@WTALinz) February 4, 2024
“It was a really good week, and I felt like every match I was playing better and better,” the World No.12 said after winning her eighth WTA Tour career title.
“It’s really amazing to win two singles trophies this year already, and winning a doubles trophy as well, [and] playing Australian Open [doubles] final — it’s like four tournaments and four finals, which is really great.
“I’m just happy with the way I’m playing this year. I think I feel like I’m more mature and more confident with my game, so it even motivates me more to work hard and get back to the Top 10.”
Errani/Paolini triumph in doubles
Later in the afternoon, unseeded Italians Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini upset No.1 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez from the United States and Ellen Perez of Australia 7-5, 4-6, 10-7 to win the Linz doubles title.
Errani and Paolini took one hour and 33 minutes to claim their second WTA doubles title as a partnership. They also teamed up to lift the WTA 250 Monastir trophy in Tunisia last year.
🇮🇹 Forza! 🇮🇹@SaraErrani and Jasmine Paolini knock out the No.1 seeds Melichar-Martinez/Perez for the @WTALinz doubles title! pic.twitter.com/KUUIdSu7LL
— wta (@WTA) February 4, 2024
Premiere as WTA 500 tournament a great success
The WTA 500 premiere of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz was an outstanding event in every respect for Tournament Director Sandra Reichel.
“It was the 33rd edition and the first in the WTA 500 category, the Tour’s second highest. I’m overwhelmed by the week, all our expectations have been exceeded,” Reichel said on Sunday ahead of the final matches.
“We felt the upgrade in all areas. In sporting terms, it was an absolute treat. We saw world-class matches and our two top-seeded players made it to the final. There were numerous dramatic, high-class, heart-stopping matches, like the over three-hour quarterfinal between crowd favourite Donna Vekic and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Another highlight was Jelena Ostapenko’s opening match, which lasted until after midnight. Despite the jet lag after the flight from Australia, Jelena left everything out there on the court.
“I’m also extremely happy that tennis legend Ana Ivanovic was our guest of honour at the Linz Design Center. As the world’s second oldest women’s indoor tournament, we simultaneously stand for tradition and progress. Thanks to the upgrade, we will now be able to develop it further in a very attractive way. The plans for 2025 are already well underway.”
