Clinical Ostapenko dispatches Alexandrova to win Linz Open title
The Latvian brushed aside the challenge of Alexandrova in Linz to secure her eighth career title and her second of 2024
Jelena Ostapenko and Ekaterina Alexandrova, 2024 Linz Open trophy presentation © Gepa / Panoramic
Jelena Ostapenko has won the Upper Austria Ladies title, sweeping past Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-3 in dominant fashion to clinch her eighth career trophy in Linz.
The Latvian was in devastating form and required just 70 minutes to wrap up the final and secure her second WTA title of the season.
It was a quick turnaround from yesterday’s semi-final for Alexandrova, who may well have been feeling the effects of her epic last-four encounter with Donna Vekic, a match that lasted more than three hours and finished less than 24 hours before the start of today’s final.
Nevertheless, Ostapenko’s dynamism and precise, powerful hitting would have caused immense problems for the Russian even had she been in optimal form.
Ostapenko broke in the fourth game of the match and then again in the eighth, as Alexandrova was serving to stay in the opener, to swiftly wrap up a 6-2 first-set win.
Things did not improve for the Russian world No 21 in the second as Ostapenko again struck early, breaking Alexandrova at the same juncture she did in the first set.
The Latvian’s relentless aggression was simply overwhelming her opponent’s defences. That break was enough to secure the set for Ostapenko, as she confidently served out the match to ensure she became the first WTA player to win two titles in 2024.
Despite the loss, Alexandrova remained upbeat about a positive week during her runners-up speech.
“I think it was a great week for all of us,” she said.
“A lot of things to improve but it’s going to make things better for the next tournaments I am sure.”
Ostapenko, meanwhile, savoured a victory that she had come so close to in 2019, losing out in the final that year to a 19-year-old Coco Gauff.
“A few years ago, I was in the final and I didn’t get the trophy,” the Latvian said in her winner’s speech.
“But I think the trophy this year is so much nicer and I’m really, really, happy to have it.
“Thanks to my team and my friends who were here supporting me today. It’s not always easy with me, but thank you so much for your support.
“I really appreciate your help and I think we are a great team – the trophy shows this.
“I hope there are many more to come.”
ostapenko setting the pace in 2024
The Latvian has now levelled up her head-to-head record against Alexandrova at 5-5, and has beaten the Russian in both of their encounters this year.
Having reached a career-high of No 5 in the world in 2018, Ostapenko is once again marching her way back up the rankings after a very successful start to the season.
Currently ranked No 12 in the world, she is still sitting just outside the top 10 having briefly broken that benchmark last month before slipping back down a couple of ranking places.
But on today’s evidence, and after already claiming two trophies just five weeks into the new year, the 2017 Roland-Garros champion is already looking every bit like a fully established member of the WTA’s elite.
