A case for the favorites: In the Linz final, number 1 meets number 2

A new name will appear in the list of winners of the second oldest women’s indoor tennis tournament in the world. The decision about the brand new Swarovski Cup at the 33rd edition of the Upper Austria Ladies, which is taking place for the first time in the 500 category, guarantees a premiere in the Design Center on Sunday (2 p.m.). Yelena Ostapenko or Ekaterina Alexandrova – there can only be one in the final, where number 1 will meet number 2. Alexandrova is in the final for the second time, unlike Ostapenko.

“I still have a score to settle,” said the Latvian, who lost to Coco Gauff five years ago. “I’m happy that I got through it so quickly,” explained the 26-year-old after her smooth semi-final victory over the 2015 Linz triumphant Anastasia Pavlyurtschenkova, who ultimately had no chance at 2:6, 3:6. Ostapenko shone with powerful tennis and thus moved into the role of favorite. “Thank you to the super audience. It’s nice that you came. It was a pleasure to play in front of you,” the 2017 French Open winner told the around 2,500 fans in the full house.

After initial difficulties, Ostapenko really got going in the tournament. As a reminder: In the round of 16 against Clara Tauson (Den), the twelfth in the world rankings had to fend off a match point. It wasn’t just a fight against her opponent, but also against the fatigue that was caused by the jet lag after the trip from Australia. Now everything is in order. “I’ve already seen the trophy. I like anything that glitters. It would look very good in my living room. I’ll give everything to make it happen this time,” said Ostapenko.

Conditionally she should have an advantage. Because Alexandrowa had to struggle enormously to reach the final. The Croatian Donna Vekic demanded everything from the Russian living in Prague. The two duel on Center Court for 3:10 hours, Alexandrowa retained the upper hand 5:7, 7:6 (4), 7:6 (6). And that despite the fact that she had her back against the wall in the decisive tiebreak. Vekic was leading 5-1 and looked like the winner.

“I don’t even know how it went at the end. I was so tired, I actually just played like I was in a trance,” said Alexandrova and went into rest mode to regain her strength with an eye on the final. It looks like an open issue. The final participants have already met nine times on the WTA Tour. Head-to-head, Alexandrova leads against Ostapenko 5:4.

Vekic regretted her departure. “I left my heart on the court and played at a high level. I couldn’t get more out of it. Of course I’m disappointed because I love this tournament. The support from the crowd was great, I enjoyed this week,” she said.