LINZ, Austria: Jelena Ostapenko powered past Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets in the Linz final on Sunday to secure her second WTA title of the year.
The top seed won 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour to claim the eighth tournament victory of her career.
Latvia’s Ostapenko also won the Adelaide International in January in the build-up to the Australian Open.
This is the first year Ostapenko has lifted multiple titles since 2017, when she famously won the French Open.
“I’m just happy with the way I’m playing this year,” said Ostapenko, 12th in the WTA rankings.
“I think I feel like I’m more mature and more confident with my game, so it even motivates me more to work hard and get back to the top 10.”
It was the second time Ostapenko had met Alexandrova in a WTA final, after a defeat by the Russian in South Korea in 2022.
Ostapenko eases to second WTA title of season in Linz
https://arab.news/pvf33
Ostapenko eases to second WTA title of season in Linz
- The top seed won 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour to claim the eighth tournament victory of her career
Alcaraz extends winning streak, Draper into semifinals at Queen’s
- Alcaraz, who won the Wimbledon warm-up event in 2023, will face Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in Saturday’s semifinals
- The 23-year-old had twice lost in the last eight at Queen’s, but now he is just two wins away from joining Andy Murray as only the second British champion at the tournament in the Open area
LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz was relieved to overcome the challenge of Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets to reach the semifinals at Queen’s Club and extend his career-best winning streak to 16 matches on Friday.
In his first tournament since winning the French Open in remarkable fashion against Jannik Sinner, the world No. 2 had been forced to come through a grueling three-set battle against Jaume Munar in Thursday’s second round.
But Alcaraz was ruthless with his opportunities against world No. 80 Rinderknech as the Spaniard took his only two break point chances for a 7-5, 6-4 win inside 90 minutes on court.
“I thought I was going to feel much worse, but we are tennis players, we have to do whatever we have to do to feel good,” said Alcaraz after his three-and-a-half-hour battle against Munar.
“I’m glad that today was one hour and 20 minutes, a bit more like grass.”
Alcaraz, who won the Wimbledon warm-up event in 2023, will face Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in Saturday’s semifinals after he beat fourth seed Holger Rune 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2.
“I’m feeling great, and I’m just happy to play at such a good level today. It was a big challenge today, but I’m happy with the way I played and felt today,” added Alcaraz.
Jack Draper, who ended Alcaraz’s defense at Queen’s last year, reached the semifinals for the first time and secured a top-four seed at Wimbledon with a tense 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over American Brandon Nakashima.
The 23-year-old had twice lost in the last eight at Queen’s, but now he is just two wins away from joining Andy Murray as only the second British champion at the tournament in the Open area.
Draper will move above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz in the world rankings next week to a career-high of four.
That means at Wimbledon, which starts on June 30, Draper will avoid defending champion Alcaraz and world No. 1 Sinner until the semifinals.
“Last year I went there ranked 40th and now I’m fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling,” Draper said.
“It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I’m proud of that.”
Draper will face Jiri Lehecka in the last four on Saturday after the Czech world No. 30 beat beat British No. 2 Jacob Fearnley 7-5, 6-2.
Emirates extends global partnership with ATP through 2030
- Since 2013, the Dubai-based airline and ATP Tour have built one of the longest standing and most recognizable partnerships in professional tennis
DUBAI: Emirates and the ATP Tour have renewed their global partnership, with the airline continuing as the premier partner of the competition through 2030.
First joining forces in 2013, Emirates and the ATP have built one of the longest-standing and most recognizable partnerships in professional tennis.
Emirates will continue to showcase its premium hospitality at close to 60 ATP tournaments spanning six continents each season.
The airline’s signature net branding will remain a distinctive part of the viewing experience for millions of fans worldwide.
Emirates will also continue to receive prominent marketing rights and high-value brand visibility across the season, maintaining one of the broadest footprints in tennis.
From 2026, Emirates will further expand its brand presence by becoming the ATP’s first umpire sleeve-patch partner.
The initiative builds on Emirates’ association with sport officiating across its major sponsorships, including the NBA, International Cricket Council, World Rugby, European Rugby Champions Cup and SailGP.
Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ executive vice president, corporate communications, marketing and brand, said this was an opportunity for Emirates to connect with tennis fans worldwide and build a consistent, authentic brand association with the sport.
“Through exceptional hospitality and strategic on-ground activations at the world’s most prestigious tournaments, we’re strengthening engagement with our loyal customer base to remain top-of-mind.
“We’re committed to working closely with the ATP and leveraging this partnership further as we continue expanding Emirates’ global tennis footprint.”
Daniele Sano, ATP’s chief business officer, said: “Emirates has been a constant presence on the ATP Tour for over a decade, and this renewal is a big moment for both of us.
“It speaks to the strength of our relationship and everything we’ve built together. Right now, the Tour is in a really exciting place. We’re seeing record attendance, growing commercial interest, and real momentum across the board.
“We’re proud to keep building with a partner, and a truly premium brand, that shares our belief in the future of the sport.”
In addition to leveraging the ATP’s digital and social channels, Emirates will begin collaborating with players on digital promotions through a dedicated activation program.
The ATP Tour connects Emirates with more than 5 million fans on-site each season, underscoring the global reach of both tennis and the world’s largest international airline.
Beyond the ATP Tour, Emirates is a sponsor of all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments: the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Coco Gauff loses in Berlin in first match since French Open title, turns attention to Wimbledon
- Gauff had a bye to the second round at the grass-court tournament, a warmup for Wimbledon
- “It was a tough one today but happy to be back on court,” she wrote on her social media
BERLIN: Newly crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff was stunned on her return to action Thursday, losing to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-3 at the Berlin Open.
The second-ranked Gauff, who won at Roland-Garros less than two weeks ago for her second Grand Slam title, amassed 25 unforced errors and seven double faults in her loss to Wang.
Gauff had a bye to the second round at the grass-court tournament, a warmup for Wimbledon.
“It was a tough one today but happy to be back on court,” Gauff wrote on her social media accounts. “Tried my best to adjust with the quick turnaround but it wasn’t enough. As always, I’m learning as I go so I hope to do better next time.”
The 21-year-old Gauff added that she is “excited to get some more practices in to be ready for Wimbledon,” which starts June 30. She has not made it past the fourth round at the All England Club.
Wang, ranked No. 49, said she would have been pleased just with the first set Thursday, considering the level of her opponent.
“After I won the first set, I just told myself ‘OK let’s take a minute and enjoy this, I’m playing the French Open champion, and I won the first set,’” she said in her on-court interview.
“No matter how the second and third go, I was like, ‘OK let’s just enjoy it for a second,’” said Wang, who will face Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals. “I’m really happy with how I played today. I was serving good and putting a lot of pressure on the return, especially second-serve return.”
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka finished off Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (6) in a match that was suspended Wednesday after one set because of a slippery court.
Sabalenka had lost to Gauff at the French Open final and later apologized to the American for making “unprofessional” comments after the Paris title match.
Sabalenka will meet 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
Draper survives scare to reach Queen’s quarterfinals
- If Draper can reach the Queen’s semifinals for the first time after two previous last-eight exits, he will be guaranteed to be seeded fourth at Wimbledon
- Danish fourth seed Holger Rune fought back to seal a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald
LONDON: British second seed Jack Draper survived a scare to reach the Queen’s Club quarterfinals with a gritty 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.
Draper was rocked by the world No. 21 in the first set of the second-round tie at the Wimbledon warm-up event.
But the 23-year-old hit back to level the match before taking the final set tie-break to complete his comeback in a tense encounter lasting two hours and 13 minutes in searing heat in west London.
Earlier in his career, such a test of endurance would have been too much for Draper, but he believes he is made of sterner stuff these days.
“Before I felt like my energy wasn’t that strong, and I felt like I looked like a bit of a Ferrari but I was a bit of a Toyota, like broke down quite easy,” Draper said.
“Now I’m starting to feel generally stronger and confident in myself.
“I have felt better and better every Grand Slam I have played.”
Draper, who reached the US Open semifinals last year, is hoping to make a strong run at Wimbledon this year after failing to get past the second round in his previous three appearance.
The Londoner has made the last 16 at both the Australian and French Opens this year, rising to sixth in the ATP rankings.
If Draper can reach the Queen’s semifinals for the first time after two previous last-eight exits, he will be guaranteed to be seeded fourth at Wimbledon when the grass-court Grand Slam gets underway on June 30.
After losing the first set against Popyrin, Draper’s powerful ground-stroke dragged him level with a double break in the second set.
Popyrin clung on valiantly, saving two match points as he served at 4-5 in the final set.
In the tiebreak he led 4-2, pushing Draper to the brink of a shock defeat.
But the Briton delighted the home crowd as he won five of the last six points, clinching the victory with an ace.
Draper will play Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals after the American beat Britain’s Dan Evans 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).
On the day he was awarded a wild card entry into Wimbledon, the 35-year-old Evans was unable to emulate his surprise first-round win against Frances Tiafoe.
In Wednesday’s other matches, Danish fourth seed Holger Rune fought back to seal a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald.
Rune, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2023, plays Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinals after the Spaniard beat Czech eighth seed Jakub Mensik 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Last year’s Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini beaten by Ons Jabeur in first grass match of 2025
- Jabeur, a Wimbledon finalist in 2022 and 2023, beat the fourth-seeded Paolini 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the Berlin Tennis Open
- Paolini was playing for the first time since winning the French Open doubles title with fellow Italian Sara Errani
BERLIN: Last year’s Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini got off to a losing start in her first grass-court match of 2025, a straight-sets loss to Ons Jabeur.
Jabeur, a Wimbledon finalist in 2022 and 2023, beat the fourth-seeded Paolini 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the Berlin Tennis Open on Wednesday after the Italian had a first-round bye.
Jabeur could face 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova or Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Paolini was playing for the first time since winning the French Open doubles title with fellow Italian Sara Errani. Paolini lost to Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of the French Open singles.
