WTA Linz: Julia Grabher has to give up injured, Aryna Sabalenka continues
Local hero Julia Grabher had to give up at the home tournament in Linz due to an injury. Camila Giorgi and Aryna Sabalenka, on the other hand, won their opening matches.
by PM / tennisnet
last edit: Nov 10, 2020, 08:42 pm
The 24-year-old bent down unhappily and then took a break in treatment. Although the Vorarlbergerin tried to continue playing, but had to leave the center court after only one more serve. The pain was just too great.
“I started really well and felt great. When the score was 3: 2, I changed direction and then felt a "click" in my right ankle. After that I couldn't pull the trigger anymore. Unfortunately I don't know more yet. The short-term scan has not yet seen anything because the injury is too fresh. After an MRI in Vienna, I will hopefully know more tomorrow, ”said Grabher.
Giorgi off to a good start
The 2018 Linz winner, Camila Giorgi from Italy, celebrated a successful start to the tournament. The 28-year-old defeated the strong defensive specialist Sara Sorribes-Tormo from Spain in the longest match of the tournament to date after two hours and 38 minutes with 6: 3, 5: 7 and 6: 4. Giorgi made life a little difficult for himself. In the second round she was already leading 4: 1, but then lost four games in a row and in the end also the set 5: 7.
In the decisive set, the Italian, who was the much more courageous player, let her opponent come up to 5: 4 after a 4: 1, but finally converted her third match point. “I played very well for a while, but sometimes I waited a little too much. I'm happy to be back in Linz because I particularly enjoy playing indoors. Of course it's completely different without a spectator. But it's just great that we're playing at all, ”said Giorgi.
Sabalenka continues too
The tournament number one, Aryna Sabalenka, also won her opening match. The Belarusian defeated Jasmine Paolani in straight sets. Vera Zvonareva, Stefanie Vögele, Jana Fett and Barbora Krejčíková are also in the second round.