Andreeva fights back to beat Potapova in Linz Open final

LINZ: Top seed Mirra Andreeva overcame a first-set wobble to clinch her second title of the ​year, beating local favourite Anastasia Potapova 1-6 6-4 6-3 ‌to win the Linz Open on Sunday.

Russian Andreeva, who won the Adelaide International in January, has now won five WTA titles after breaking a ​claycourt title drought stretching back to 2024 ahead ​of next month’s French Open.

“I was struggling a lot ⁠on how to find a solution to play against you ​today. You’re an amazing fighter and an even better person,” ​Andreeva told Potapova during the presentation ceremony.

Andreeva made 14 unforced errors in the first set, twice as many as Potapova, who broke Andreeva ​twice to build a 4-1 lead and secured the set ​when the world number 10’s forehand hit the net.

But Andreeva, a former ‌French ⁠Open semi-finalist, became more aggressive in the second set, getting two breaks in a row to go 3-2 up before sealing it with an ace.

Sinner’s Monte Carlo master class sends early clay-season warning

World number 97 Potapova, born in ​Russia and bidding ​to win ⁠the Linz Open for the second time, continued to make unforced errors and 18-year-old Andreeva ​served accurately to close out the win.

“Playing here ​for ⁠the first time as an Austrian, for me it means the world. All the support I was getting this week from ⁠the ​crowd, I never had it in my ​life. I am really thankful,” said 25-year-old Potapova, who switched allegiance to Austria ​in December.