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Match summary and review of Linz Open Final- Martic-Potapova

By Myre Aberdan

LINZ, AUSTRIA - FEBRUARY 12: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Anastasia Potapova celebrates winning during day seven of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 on February 12, 2023 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for MatchMaker)
LINZ, AUSTRIA - FEBRUARY 12: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Anastasia Potapova celebrates winning during day seven of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 on February 12, 2023 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images for MatchMaker) /
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Match summary

Right off the bat, we saw a 10 + shot rally to commence the match. Martic however took the very early break off the back of a number of unforced errors from Potapova on her return of serve. In the very next service game, Potapova went out to a premature 30-15 lead on Petra’s serve- but Potapova was to no avail. All the momentum (and the match) was in the hands of Martic, and Potapova showed no signs whatsoever of life to win the set. Potapova was committing unforced error after unforced error while down 2-0 30-0,but steadied the ship momentarily, showing a little bit of life against Martic. In this stanza of the match, Martic was the one hitting a few unforced errors.

Nevertheless, Martic was staring down the barrel of going up a double break, but an extended rally of a theatrical nature put a hold to that. The exchange included a behind the body shot and some cross court acrobatics which was eventually put to bed courtesy of a half volley from Martic. At this point, Potapova was staring down being down another break in this match- however Potapova responded immediately with her own magic. Potapova iced a two-handed backhand down the line to save yet another break point.

An errant slice from Martic, followed by a forehand dumped into the net, allowed Potapova to finally get a 1 next to her name on the scoreboard. In doing so, Potapova avoided going down a double break. What was so astounding in this final was the bipolar nature of the match. After this point in the match, Martic was broken on serve and did not win a single game after this in the first set and lost the first set 6-3! If you turned around and went away from this match, you would not believe your eyes at all if you saw the final scoreboard. Potapova then absolutely steamrolled into the second set and ran away with the final set, match and championship with a 6-1 second set scoreline. It was one of the more incredulous WTA finals you could ever seen- and it was to be seen to be believed. Up next is the Doha Open, which will be a continuation of tournaments in the Middle East.

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