Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 30th in the world, collected her fifth WTA Tour title with a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win over Dayana Yastremska in the Linz final on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Russian, who had twice lost in the final at Linz in the last six years, prevailed over the Ukrainian, ranked 72 in 2 hours 13 minutes.
"This tournament was always special for me, I really love playing here every time, and now, finally, I can make it to the end at the third time," Alexandrova said on court.
"I'm super pleased and happy, and this place is going to be special and magical for me all the time."
Ekaterina 💜's Linz!#WTALinz pic.twitter.com/1k29X6h43R
— wta (@WTA) February 2, 2025
Alexandrova quickly took the first set 6-2 in half an hour but her 24-year-old opponent cruised through the second set 6-3 to set up the decider.
Yastremska, who sensationally reached the semifinals of the Australian Open last year as a qualifier, kept up her momentum and broke early on.
Alexandrova rallied, however, and the two players were neck and neck until 5-5 when the Russian was able to turn up the heat and clinch the title.