Lob and Smash
Fansided

Linz Open Final preview: Potapova-Martic

By Myre Aberdan

LINZ, AUSTRIA - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Anastasia Potapova in action during day three of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 on February 08, 2023 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for MatchMaker)
LINZ, AUSTRIA - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Anastasia Potapova in action during day three of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 on February 08, 2023 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for MatchMaker) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Match preview

How time flies! We have reached the conclusion of our WTA tournament held on purple courts in Austria. What a week it’s been.

The former junior world number 1 and girls Wimbledon champion has had a breakout season of sorts in 2023. Reaching a career high of 42 at the very end of 2022, Potapova made the last 32 of a grand slam for the for the first time ever at this years Australian Open. Her run this week has been nothing short of astonishing, slashing her ranking from the start of the week of 43 to now being seated at 33rd in the live rankings. A win later tonight will see her rise to 31st in the world, and in a box seat at being seeded at the French Open if she can defend any points up until then.

Her opponent in the final in Linz is none other than Petra Martic. In 2022, Martic had her own resurgence, climbing back into the world’s top 50- as well as beating Belinda Bencic and Caroline Garcia back to back to win Lausanne. Already seeded and ranked at number 33 in the world, a win tonight will push Martic back in the 20s of the women’s world ranking (number 26).

The final at the Linz Open will be a battle between two players who can both hold their own in the rally department. Martic has been a top player for several years now, but has only win 2 WTA Tour titles. She has a signature style which is very hard to miss, which has helped her to reach the quarterfinals of a major tournament (2019 Roland Garros). Potapova, on the other hand, in her short career thus far, is trying to make a name for herself. She already possesses an arsenal of weapons, including her powerful forehand and excellent court coverage. Potapova has won one WTA Tour title and is gunning for her second this week in Linz. This is a battle not to be missed, and could be the last time the WTA plays on such a beautiful surface in a long while (April).

Home/WTA