WTA Linz: Barbara Haas gets a tough lot
Barbara Haas has received the wildcard for the Upper Austria Ladies in Linz for the sixth time in a row. In the first round of her home tournament, the 24-year-old will face number 5 seeded Russian Veronika Kudermetova. Julia Grabher has also received a wild card and meets the Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
by tennisnet / APA
last edit: Nov 08, 2020, 08:25 pm
"It's a tough lot. A seeded player like almost always when I've played in Linz. She's a strong player, it's going to be a very tough match," said Haas at a Zoom press conference on Sunday. The fact that she has failed in five attempts to reach the second round does not put her under any additional pressure. "It's a tennis match like any other where you have a 50:50 chance. But of course I would like to see me survive the first round."
It was also a crazy tennis year for Haas, who this year has to stay in the "bubble" in the player hotel despite the home tournament ("I'm glad I don't have to cater for myself at home"). "Yes, it was unfortunately
a very difficult year for all of us, very turbulent. I have played very few tournaments, which is of course difficult because one of the competitions is a bit lacking. "The two main competitions at the US Open and the French Open were" definitely my highlight. "You know how things will continue Unfortunately not. I hope that Australia takes place and that I can start there. "
Haas satisfied with himself
Her home tournament in Linz, of all places, is now the end of the entire WTA season. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are no more WTA points to be won afterwards. "I've trained a lot in the last few weeks. Actually, I think it's great that all the players come to me now because we're training in my training hall," said Haas, who has been in the "safety bubble" since Thursday of the tournament is located. Regardless of how her tournament ends, she can then continue training.
The experience of playing at home with no spectators and no cheers is a new one for Haas. "It is still difficult to assess, but in any case it is a shame for the tournament, my sponsors, my friends and family. But I will fight one way or another whether there are spectators or not. Who knows, maybe I'm a track looser. "
Even before the first appearance at the WTA event, which is endowed with $ 225,500, Haas is satisfied with her progress in 2020. "I'm sure I'll be the best version of myself this year. I'm happy with my progress, but of course there is still a lot of work ahead of me," said Jürgen Waber's protégé.
Sabalenka for the top ten
Haas, Austria's number one, fought her way back into the top 150 this year and was meanwhile already 133rd. She still has an unfinished business with the Russian: The only encounter so far with the world number 46. she lost 5: 7.3: 6 in the first qualifying round in Brisbane last January.
The top star of the only WTA tournament in Austria on the Linzer Gugl is the current world number 11 Aryna Sabalenka. She opens her tournament against the Italian Jasmine Paolini. Sabalenka could move into the top ten for the first time by making it into the quarter-finals and promote superstar Serena Williams (USA) from this circle.