LINZ, February 1, 2024 (Press Release)

Top seed Jelena Ostapenko has arrived safely in Upper Austria. The World No. 12 from Latvia, who contested the women’s doubles final at the Australian Open on Sunday, was welcomed with flowers by Tournament Director Sandra Reichel and Tournament Ambassador Barbara Schett on Wednesday afternoon.

Warm welcome for our top seed @JelenaOstapenk8 🤗 💐 @SandyEurope @Babsschett #WTALinz pic.twitter.com/44UfupBolw

— #WTALinz (@WTALinz) January 31, 2024

The 26-year-old has fond memories of Linz, despite her three-set final defeat against Coco Gauff in 2019. Tired but relaxed after practicing, the top seed sat back and answered the journalists’ questions at Media Day. 
 
Asked about her expectations for the 2024 Upper Austria Ladies Linz, the 2017 French Open champion replied by saying. “I may be the No. 1 seed, but I try not to think about it. I’m obviously ranked quite high now so it’s a normal thing that at some tournaments I’ll be seeded higher. I just play one match at a time and that’s it. It would be great to win the title but I’m not putting myself under any expectations. If I play well anything can happen.”
 
A tournament winner already this season – at the WTA500 in Adelaide – Ostapenko was asked about her aggressive game. Feeling happy about her form, she said: “I like it that I’m playing aggressive. Most of the time I can control all the matches. Especially if I play well and feel confident and consistent, I can be a very dangerous player. So probably it’s what I like most. Of course, it was a great start to the season. I’ve had some really good results so I’m even more motivated to work harder and achieve more.”
 
Making her fourth appearance in Linz, Ostapenko was visibly pleased to be back in Upper Austria: “The organization here is really good and they take good care of the players. It’s a nice city. I also like playing indoor and the atmosphere here was good. The arena is new to me, so I’ll find out tomorrow what it’s like. But it looks a good venue, especially with the hotel so close.” Asked about the new iconic Swarovski trophy for the winner, she raved about the masterpiece: “I saw the trophy and I really loved it! It was super shiny. I like jewelry and shiny stuff. So, of course it’s a nice motivation to win such a beautiful trophy.”
 
While Ostapenko begins her campaign on Thursday (against Denmark’s Clara Tauson), second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova is already through to the quarterfinals. Alexandrova was a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 winner against the German qualifier Jule Niemeier. Afterwards, the 2018 Linz finalist, who is making her seventh appearance at the tournament, declared her love for Upper Austria Ladies Linz: “I just love the city, I just love the place, everything about it – the crowd, the people, the atmosphere here. It’s so nice and cozy, and I really enjoy my time here every single year. I’m looking forward to coming back next year too.” Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2015 Linz winner, also advanced to the last eight after a 7-6, 6-4 straight sets win over Great Britain’s Katie Boulter in the evening’s final Centre Court match.
 
Meanwhile, last year’s winner Anastasia Potapova and Australian Open semi-finalist Dayana Yastremska both booked their second-round slots on Wednesday. Potapova had to summon up all her skills against the Italian veteran Sara Errani to reach the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-3 victory. “Sara is a fighter, she fights for every point. I tried to do my best, it was tough, but I’m happy with the result. In any case, I’m happy to be back in Linz.” Should she successfully defend her title this year, she would again take a few days’ holiday in Austria. “It was really nice last year, maybe we’ll do it again.”
 
Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, who sensationally reached the semi-finals as a qualifier in Melbourne, overcame Erika Andreeva 7-6, 3-6, 6-2. Afterwards, she found plenty of time for the numerous Ukrainian fans in the arena. After flying from Melbourne, the world No. 29 was still suffering from jet lag during the three-set match: “I just want to sleep, especially in the second set I was very tired. But Australia is over. It’s nice to be in Linz now, I like the city, the people here are very friendly and treat us very well. Finally, I got my first win here in Linz and I’m super happy.”

Yastremska will face Donna Vekic from Croatia, the third seed, in an eagerly awaited clash on Thursday. “I think it is going to be a great match,” said Yastremska.

🎥 @D_Yastremska 🇺🇦 taped a lovely message for her fans after her first round win against Erika Andreeva.

She will face Donna Vekic 🇭🇷 on Thursday! We can‘t wait for this duel! @WTA | #WTALinz #DayanaYastremska pic.twitter.com/VzG7Q9uNtD

— #WTALinz (@WTALinz) January 31, 2024