Aryna Sabalenka, Elise Mertens and Dayana Yastremaska

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PREVIEW NOTES: UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA | NOVEMBER 9-15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL

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UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ– QUICK FACTS

Main draw dates: Monday - Sunday, November 9-15, 2020 Singles Final: Sunday, November 15, NB 3pm Doubles Final: Sunday, November 15, 12:30pm TBC Venue: Tips Arena Linz Status: WTA International event Staging: Tournament’s 30th year Draw sizes: 32 singles / 16 doubles teams / 6 singles qualifying Surface: Deco Turf on wood / Indoors Total prize money: USD $225,500 Tennis Ball: Dunlop Fort All Court

RANK RANK SINGLES USD $ DOUBLES USD $ POINTS POINTS Winner 20,161 280 Winner 7,258 280 Runner-Up 11,290 180 Runner-Up 4,032 180 Semifinalist 7,016 110 Semifinalist 2,606 110 Quarterfinalist 4,032 60 Quarterfinalist 1,598 60 Round of 16 2,540 30 Round of 16 1,226 1 Round of 32 1,855 1

MAIN DRAW QUICK-HITS

Singles wildcards: Julia Grabher (AUT), Barbara Haas (AUT), Vera Zvonareva (RUS) Youngest singles player: Marta Kostyuk, 18 years old (June 28, 2002) Oldest singles player: Vera Zvonareva, 36 years old (September 7, 1984)

UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ RECENT HONOR ROLL

YEAR CHAMPION RUNNER-UP SCORE DOUBLES CHAMPIONS 2019 Coco Gauff (USA # 110) Jelena Ostapenko (LAT #72) 6-3 1-6 6-2 Krejcikova/Siniakova 2018 [5] Camila Giorgi (ITA #31) [Q] Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS #119) 6-3 6-1 Flipkens/Larsson 2017 [2] Barbora Strycova (CZE #29) [1] Magdelana Rybarikova (SVK #28) 6-4 6-1 Bertens/Larsson 2016 [2] Dominica Cibulkova (SVK #10) Viktorija Golubic (SUI #61) 6-3 7-5 Bertens/Larsson

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1 PREVIEW NOTES: UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA | NOVEMBER 9-15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL

TOURNAMENT TALKING POINTS

• This year’s 30th anniversary edition of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, a WTA International event first staged in 1991, is headlined by Top 30 players Aryna Sabalenka, Elise Mertens and Dayana Yastremaska. • Joining them in the draw is former champion Camila Giorgi (2018) and former finalist Ekaterina Alexandrova (2018). • Top seed Aryna Sabalenka looks to keep her winning streak alive as she enters Linz following singles and doubles success at the J&T Banka Ostrava Open. The World No.11 kicks off her campaign against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. • Also featured in this week’s field is No.2 seed Elise Mertens, who squares up against qualifier Anhelina Kalinina in the first round where a win would mean notching her 200th career win. • Two players from the home nation of Austria highlight the field, wildcards Julia Grabher, who takes on Sorana Cirstea in the first round, and Barbara Haas, who begins her campaign against No.5 seed Veronika Kudermetova. • One to Watch – Barbora Krejcikova. As a former doubles No.1, this season has been filled with firsts for the Czech’s singles career. Kicking off the season by recording her maiden Grand Slam main draw win at the Australian Open, she then went on to continue her Grand Slam success with a breakthrough fourth round run at Roland Garros.

COUNTRY AND REGION BREAKDOWN

Excluding qualifiers, a total of 15 countries and regions are represented in the main draw, led by Russia with four players:

Argentina (1) Nadia Podoroska Austria (2) Julia Grabher, Barbara Haas Belgium (2) Elise Mertens, Greet Minnen Belarus (2) Aryna Sabalenka, Aliaksandra Sasnovich Czech Republic (2) Katerina Siniakova, Barbora Krejcikova Italy (2) Camila Giorgi, Jasmine Paolini Netherlands (1) Arantxa Rus Romania (2) Irina-Camelia Begu, Sorana Cirstea Russia (4) Ekaterina Alexandrova, Varvara Gracheva, Vera Zvonareva, Veronika Kudermetova Slovakia (1) Viktoria Kuzmova Slovenia (1) Tamara Zidansek Spain (1) Sara Sorribes Tormo Switzerland (1) Jil Teichmann Ukraine (2) Dayana Yastremska, Marta Kostyuk United States (1) Bernarda Pera

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2 PREVIEW NOTES: UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA | NOVEMBER 9-15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL

WTA CHARITIES - ACEING CANCER

• It’s October and that means it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. • With its ACEing Cancer campaign, WTA Charities is focused this month on fighting women’s cancers. • As part of the campaign, the WTA and WTA Charities will donate $100 for every ace served this week during the J&T Banka Ostrava Open. • A major global PSA will be released featuring WTA Women’s Health Ambassador and breast cancer survivor Martina Navratilova stressing the importance of early detection. • Navratilova will also lead a virtual fundraiser for WTA Charities in collaboration with Cancer Research Racquet and the American Cancer Society to fund women’s cancer research. • The money from the fundraiser, including what is raised this week, will go to fund a research project chosen by the WTA that focuses on cancers affecting women. • WTA Charities’ ACEing Cancer campaign was initiated in 2019 at the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen with Cancer Research Racquet and the American Cancer Society resulting in a three-year women’s cancer research grant funded in 2020. • Key facts about breast cancer: o Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. o One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. o Early detection is key. o Mayo Clinic recommends annual screening mammography starting at age 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer might need to start screening mammograms before age 40.

2020 WTA TOUR FINALS

Week of Level Tournament Singles Final Doubles Final

January 6 Premier Brisbane, AUS [2] Pliskova d. [8] Keys 64 46 75 Hsieh/Strycova d. Barty/Bertens 36 76(7) 108 Int. Shenzhen, CHN [5] Alexandrova d. [7] Rybakina 62 64 Krejcikova/Siniakova d. Duan/Zheng 62 36 104 Int. Auckland, NZL [1] Williams d. Pegula 63 64 Muhammad/Townsend d. Williams/Wozniacki 64 64

January 13 Premier Adelaide, AUS [1] Barty d. Yastremska 62 75 Melichar/Xu d. Dabrowski/Jurak 26 75 105 Int. Hobart, AUS [3] Rybakina d. [4] Zhang 76(7) 63 Kichenok/Mirza d. Peng/Zhang 64 64

January 20 GS Melbourne, AUS [14] Kenin d. Muguruza 46 62 62 Babos/Mladenovic d. Hsieh/Strycova 62 61

February 10 Premier St. P’burg, RUS [2] Bertens d. [8] Rybakina 61 63 Aoyama/Shibahara d. Christian/Guarachi 46 60 103 Int. Hua Hin, THA [5] Linette d. [Q] Kung 63 62 Rodionova/Sanders d. Haas/Perez 63 63

February 17 Premier Dubai, UAE [1] Halep d. Rybakina 36 63 76(5) Hsieh/Strycova d. Krejcikova/Zheng 76 36 105

February 24 Premier Doha, QAT [9] Sabalenka d. [8] Kvitova 63 63 Hsieh/Strycova d. Dabrowski/Ostapenko 62 57 102 Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA

3 PREVIEW NOTES: UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA | NOVEMBER 9-15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL

Int. Acapulco, MEX [7] Watson d. [Q] Fernandez 64 67(8) 61 Krawczyk/Olmos d. Bondarenko/Fichman 63 76(5)

March 2 Int. Lyon, FRA [1] Kenin d. Friedsam 62 46 64 Paar/Wachaczyk d. Pattinama Kerkh./Schoofs 75 64 Int. Monterrey, MEX [1] Svitolina d. [9] Bouzkova 75 46 64 Bondarenko/Fichman d. Kato/Wang 46 63 107

August 3 Int. Palermo, ITA Ferro d. [4] Kontaveit 62 75 Rus/Zidansek d. Cocciaretto/Trevisan 75 75

August 10 Int. Prague, CZE [1] Halep d. [3] Mertens 62 75 Hradecka/Pliskova d. Niculescu/Olaru 62 62 Int. Lexington, USA Brady d. Teichmann 63 64 Carter/Stefani/Bouzkova/Teichmann 61 75

August 17 Premier 5 New York, USA Azarenka d. [4/WC] Osaka w/o Peschke/Schuurs d. Melichar/Xu 64 46 104

August 31 GS New York, USA [4] Osaka d. Azarenka 16 63 63 Zvonareva/Siegemund d. Melichar/Xu 64 64

September 6 Int. Istanbul, TUR Tig d. [Q] Bouchard 26 61 76(4) Guarachi/Krawczyk d. Perez/Sanders 61 63

September 14 Premier 5 Rome, ITA [1] Halep d. [2] Ka.Pliskova 60 21 ret. Hsieh/Strycova d. Friedsam d. Olaru 62 62

September 21 Int. Strasbourg, FRA [2] Svitolina d. [5] Rybakina 64 16 62 Melichar/Schuurs d. Carter/Stefani 64 63

September 27 GS Roland Garros Swiatek d. [4] Kenin 64 61 Babos/Mladenovic d. Guarachi/Krawczyk 64 75

October 19 Premier Ostrava, CZE [3] Sabalenka d. [4] Azarenka 62 62 Mertens/Sabalenka d. Dabrowski/Stefani 61 63

A SNAPSHOT OF 2020 – THE YEAR SO FAR

• Top 10 Debut (1): Sofia Kenin (at No.7 on February 3) • Fewest games dropped en route to a title: Jennifer Brady (24, Lexington) • Lowest-ranked player to triumph: Patricia Maria Tig (No.88, Istanbul) • Most finals: Elena Rybakina: 5 (Shenzhen - R-Up; Hobart - W; St. Petersburg - R-Up; Dubai - R-Up; Strasbourg - R-Up); Simona Halep: 3 (Dubai - W; Prague - W; Rome - W); Sofia Kenin: 3 (Australian Open - W; Lyon - W; Roland Garros - R-Up); Victoria Azarenka: 3 (Cincinnati – W; US Open – R-Up; Ostrava – R-Up) • Maiden titles (4): Ekaterina Alexandrova (Shenzhen), Jennifer Brady (Lexington), Patricia Maria Tig (Istanbul), Iga Swiatek (Roland Garros) • Youngest title winner: Elena Rybakina, Hobart (20y 7m 1d) • Oldest title winner: Serena Williams, Auckland (38y 3m 17d) • Aces leaders: Elena Rybakina – 193, Serena Williams – 178, Garbiñe Muguruza – 160 • Most aces in a match (22): Alison Van Uytvanck (l. vs. Sofia Kenin 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 7-6(2) – Lyon, SF) • Match win leaders: Elise Mertens – 30, Elena Rybakina – 29, Sofia Kenin – 24, Aryna Sabalenka - 24 • Most three-set matches played (15): Garbiñe Muguruza (10-5 record) • Most doubles titles (4): Barbora Strycova / Hsieh Su-Wei (Brisbane, Dubai, Doha, Rome)

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4 PREVIEW NOTES: UPPER AUSTRIA LADIES LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA | NOVEMBER 9-15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL

• Best result by a qualifier (R-Up): Kung (Hua Hin), Fernandez (Acapulco), Bouchard (Istanbul) • Longest match: 3h 33m – Heather Watson d. Elise Mertens 6-7(5) 6-4 7-5 (Hobart, QF) • Shortest (completed) match: 39m – Ekaterina Alexandrova d. Storm Sanders 6-1 6-0 (Strasbourg, 1r) • Most Top 10 wins (3): Garbiñe Muguruza (No.3 Simona Halep, No.5 Elina Svitolina and No.10 Kiki Bertens – all at Australian Open); Jelena Ostapenko (No.7 Kenin in Fed Cup, No.8 Bertens at Strasbourg, No.4 Ka.Pliskova at Roland Garros)

SEASON & CAREER PRIZE MONEY LEADERS

PLAYER SINGLES DOUBLES 2020 TOTAL Sofia Kenin (USA) $4,187,581 $115,389 $4,302,970 Naomi Osaka (JPN) $3,352,755 - $3,352,755 Iga Swiatek (POL) $2,179,271 $73,626 $2,261,213 Victoria Azarenka (BLR) $1,929,453 $29,930 $1,959,383 Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) $1,942,072 - $1,942,072 Simona Halep (ROU) $1,928,119 $9,771 $1,937,890 Petra Kvitova (CZE) $1,499,417 - $1,505,967 Jennifer Brady (USA) $1,229,511 $74,215 $1,303,726 Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) $1,037,700 $117,984 $1,155,684 Serena Williams (USA) $1,087,551 $3,600 $1,091,151

PLAYER CAREER TOTAL Serena Williams (USA) $93,634,967 Venus Williams (USA) $41,958,284 Maria Sharapova (RUS) $38,777,962 Simona Halep (ROU) $37,045,911 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) $35,233,415 Petra Kvitova (CZE) $32,572,604 Victoria Azarenka (BLR) $32,314,888 Angelique Kerber (GER) $29,853,978 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) $27,683,807 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) $25,483,600

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5 ALPHABETIC PLAYER LIST MAIN DRAW SINGLES 2020 Upper Austria Ladies Linz - Linz, Austria

RANK SEED CAREER @ TRN YEAR-TO-DATE CAREER CAREER HGH TITLES PLAYER NAME 2/10/2020 NAT AGE PRIZE W / L PRIZE W / L PRIZE W / L RANK DATE YTD CAR

ALEXANDROVA, EKATERINA 28 4 RUS 25 33,630 791/ 2 309,801 / 1,983,022 288 / 165 26 1/13/2020 11 BEGU, IRINA-CAMELIA 118 ROU 30 15,255 333/ 3 78,138 / 5,233,094 389 / 282 22 8/22/2016 04 CIRSTEA, SORANA 69 ROU 30 25,275 532/ 8 94,570 / 5,545,037 441 / 332 21 8/12/2013 01 Q DODIN, OCEANE 159 FRA 23 6,430 212/ 1 14,791 / 1,094,253 242 / 149 46 6/12/2017 01 Q FETT, JANA 234 CRO 23 3,310 123/ 1 861 / 429,051 209 / 137 97 10/30/2017 00 GIORGI, CAMILA 100 ITA 28 72,735 11/ 4 128,691 7/ 3 3,884,509 354 / 253 26 10/22/2018 02 W GRABHER, JULIA 221 AUT 24 4,220 002/ 1 13,990 / 139,662 222 / 127 198 3/19/2018 00 GRACHEVA, VARVARA 102 RUS 20 032/ 0 38,892/ 149,195 136 / 58 102 2/3/2020 0 0 W HAAS, BARBARA 140 AUT 24 16,220 022/ 5 36,541 / 421,664 305 / 161 134 9/19/2016 00 Q KALININA, ANHELINA 136 UKR 23 053/ 0 23,244/ 428,345 230 / 122 107 12/17/2018 0 0 KOSTYUK, MARTA 168 UKR 18 022/ 0 20,356/ 338,510 78 / 39 116 1/7/2019 0 0 KREJCIKOVA, BARBORA 112 CZE 24 6,880 052/ 0 240,819 / 2,616,783 253 / 147 112 2/3/2020 00 KUDERMETOVA, VERONIKA 38 5 RUS 23 045/ 0 105,430/ 1,300,736 223 / 150 38 2/3/2020 0 0 KUZMOVA, VIKTORIA 65 SVK 22 14,213 323/ 3 91,895 / 1,466,752 248 / 122 43 3/4/2019 00 Q MARTINCOVA, TEREZA 153 CZE 25 1,550 021/ 0 34,641 / 593,801 284 / 241 114 7/31/2017 00 MERTENS, ELISE 19 2 BEL 24 1,010 093/ 0 265,544 / 6,222,189 299 / 162 12 11/26/2018 05 MINNEN, GREET 104 BEL 23 072/ 0 99,640/ 302,615 207 / 94 104 2/3/2020 0 0 PAOLINI, JASMINE 94 ITA 24 1,550 013/ 0 68,484 / 455,344 236 / 162 94 1/13/2020 00 PERA, BERNARDA 64 8 USA 25 730 033/ 0 89,417 / 1,266,176 286 / 159 63 7/29/2019 00 PODOROSKA, NADIA 172 6 ARG 23 0151/ 0 15,564/ 227,527 249 / 139 158 5/22/2017 0 0 RUS, ARANTXA 77 NED 29 4,100 065/ 1 96,401 / 1,536,400 505 / 308 61 8/13/2012 00 SABALENKA, ARYNA 13 1 BLR 22 054/ 0 150,633/ 5,715,259 211 / 115 9 2/4/2019 0 5 SASNOVICH, ALIAKSANDRA 113 BLR 26 1,005 044/ 0 98,680 / 2,972,946 287 / 188 30 9/10/2018 00 SINIAKOVA, KATERINA 59 CZE 24 16,125 002/ 5 148,629 / 5,798,553 240 / 167 31 10/22/2018 02 SORRIBES TORMO, SARA 78 ESP 24 3,310 144/ 1 109,666 / 1,551,301 282 / 187 64 6/10/2019 00 Q TAN, HARMONY 218 FRA 23 043/ 0 2,908/ 262,498 188 / 163 217 8/26/2019 0 0 TEICHMANN, JIL 68 7 SUI 23 5,980 133/ 2 76,883 / 680,793 196 / 132 54 7/29/2019 02 Q VOEGELE, STEFANIE 99 SUI 30 25,300 663/ 5 52,306 / 2,470,413 433 / 360 42 11/11/2013 00 YASTREMSKA, DAYANA 26 3 UKR 20 063/ 0 187,500/ 1,815,077 137 / 75 21 1/20/2020 0 3 L ZAVATSKA, KATARINA 103 UKR 20 023/ 0 25,503/ 244,134 163 / 97 103 2/3/2020 0 0 ZIDANSEK, TAMARA 75 SLO 22 024/ 0 105,210/ 902,109 226 / 91 56 7/22/2019 0 0 W ZVONAREVA, VERA 476 RUS 36 117,875 800/ 5 / 14,231,721 533 / 271 2 10/25/2010 12

Page 1 of 1 Date: 11/8/2020 11:10:5 entry Please credit WTA Media Information System Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 BARBORA KREJCIKOVA

DOB Dec 18, 1995 (24)

Residence Ivancice, Czech Republic Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 74 Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Singles Prize Career $2,958,976 Ranking

Prize YTD $583,012

Career High Singles Rank 74 (Oct 26 2020) 56 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 1 (Oct 22 2018) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

CZE WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 6

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 0 0- - 0 0- - 0 1 - 1

Grand Slam W - L 4 - 2 4 - 3 7 - 2 22 - 18

Overall W - L 6 - 4 17 - 19 17 - 8 263 - 152

3 Set W - L 3 - 3 7 - 11 4 - 4 57 - 57

1 Set W - L 5 - 3 13 - 8 16 - 4 233 - 33

Tie Break W - L 1 - 0 2 - 1 1 - 1 34 - 46

Surface (HARD) W - L 2 - 2 4 - 5 8 - 4 63 - 60

Surface (CLAY) W - L 4 - 2 12 - 10 9 - 4 193 - 83

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 1 - 4

Top 5 W - L 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 1 0 - 2

Top 10 W - L 0 - 1 0 - 4 0 - 1 0 - 4

Top 20 W - L 0 - 2 0 - 7 0 - 2 0 - 7

Top 100 W - L 3 - 3 8 - 12 3 - 3 13 - 20 vs. Left Hander W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 2 - 0 10 - 2

2020 Events: 4 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 10 Played (6 - 4 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 18 1st Serve Return Points Won 38.3% Double Faults 29 2nd Serve Return Points Won 57.8% 1st Serve 66.5% Break Point Opportunities 114 1st Serve Points Won 64.4% Break Points Converted 40.4% 2nd Serve Points Won 40.2% Return Games Played 122 Break Points Faced 85 Return Games Won 37.7% Break Points Saved 49.4% Return Points Won 45.6% Service Games Played 118 Total Points Won 50.5% Service Games Won 63.6% Service Points Won 56.3%

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 BARBORA KREJCIKOVA

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R2 Main Draw in Roland Garros (d. Barbora Strycova (CZE #37) 6-4 3-6 6-3) 37

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 17 294 432 GS PM P5 P IS Other F ------SF ------QF - - - 0 0 2 2 Other 6 - - 2 2 5 15

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

8 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- QF Main Draw in Frydek Mistek (l. Miriam Kolodziejova 4-6 6-4 7-5) - QF Main Draw in Prague (l. Renata Zarazua 6-4 7-6(7)) - R16 Main Draw in Ostrava (l. Victoria Azarenka 2-6 6-2 6-1) - R16 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Nadia Podoroska 2-6 6-2 6-3) - R16 Main Draw in Prerov (vs. Grace Min, match not played due to walkover) - R16 Main Draw in Prague (l. Simona Halep 3-6 7-5 6-2) - R2 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1 6-3) - R16 Qualifying in Shenzhen (l. Irina-camelia Begu 7-5 6-2) **R1 Qualifying in Dubai (l. Ana Bogdan 6-4 6-4)

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - R16 Qualifying in 2017 (l. Naomi Broady 6-4 6-1)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '18

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 1 - 1 2R -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 2 4R 1R

WIMBLEDON - - -

US OPEN - - -

TOTAL 4 - 3

OTHER INFORMATION

Coached by Petr Kovacka ... Started playing tennis aged 6 ... Was later coached and mentored by WTA legend Jana Novotna ... Highly ranked junior, won the Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open girls' doubles titles with Katerina Siniakova.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Finalist (1): 2017 - Nürnberg

DOUBLES Winner (6): 2020 - Shenzhen (w/Siniakova); 2019 - Toronto, Linz (both w/Siniakova); 2018 - Roland Garros, Wimbledon (both w/Siniakova); 2015 - Quebec City (w/Mestach), 125/Limoges (w/Minella). Finalist (8): 2020 - Dubai (w/Siniakova); 2019 - Indian Wells (w/Siniakova); 2018 - Shenzhen, Miami, WTA Finals (all w/Siniakova); 2017 - Bastad (w/Irigoyen); 2016 - St. Petersburg (w/Dushevina); 2014 - Luxembourg (w/Hradecka).

MIXED DOUBLES Winner (2): 2020 - Australian Open (w/Mektic); 2019 - Australian Open (w/Ram).

ADDITIONAL Czech Fed Cup Team, 2019.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - In singles, best season to date, finishing at No.115; advanced to QF at Bucharest and fell 1r at WTA 125K event at Karlsruhe; fell in qualifying four times, including Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open; won four ITF singles titles on clay in North America and Europe, tallying 20 wins from 21 matches, streak broken only by 1r loss in qualifying at Paris; second Top 20 doubles season highlighted by titles at Toronto and Linz, and runner-up finish at Indian Wells (all w/Siniakova) – team qualified for WTA Finals for second year in a row but did not progress past RR.

2018 - In singles, reached 2r once; fell 1r twice (incl. Roland Garros) and in qualifying nine times (incl. other three majors); won two Grand Slam doubles titles of career, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and reached title match at WTA Finals (all w/Siniakova) .

2017 - Runner-up at Nürnberg (as qualifier, l. to Bertens); QF at Bastad (l. to Garcia); fell 1r twice and in qualifying nine times (incl. Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open); won one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2016 - Reached 2r twice; fell 1r three times and in qualifying three times (incl. Australian Open and Wimbledon).

2015 - Fell 1r once and in qualifying 10 times (incl. all four majors); won one WTA doubles title; won one WTA 125K Series doubles title; won one singles title and four doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Reached 2r once; fell in qualifying twice (incl. US Open); won three singles titles and three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won four singles titles and six doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Won one singles title and three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Won two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2010 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit.

DOB Mar 22, 1994 (26)

Residence Minsk, Belarus Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 92 Height 5' 9" (1.74 m) Singles Prize Career $3,312,829 Ranking

Prize YTD $438,563

Career High Singles Rank 30 (Sep 10 2018) 49 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 43 (Oct 12 2020) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

BLR WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 0 0- - 0 0- - 0 2 - 1

Grand Slam W - L 3 - 3 20 - 22 3 - 3 33 - 27

Overall W - L 9 - 9 84 - 89 19 - 11 302 - 195

3 Set W - L 5 - 4 38 - 33 8 - 6 102 - 72

1 Set W - L 5 - 2 59 - 12 14 - 4 240 - 35

Tie Break W - L 2 - 6 20 - 18 7 - 7 65 - 49

Surface (HARD) W - L 3 - 5 61 - 57 9 - 6 199 - 111

Surface (CLAY) W - L 6 - 4 17 - 22 10 - 5 85 - 66

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 0 6 - 10 0 - 0 10 - 13

Top 5 W - L 0 - 0 1 - 4 0 - 0 1 - 4

Top 10 W - L 0 - 1 5 - 13 0 - 1 5 - 13

Top 20 W - L 1 - 2 14 - 27 1 - 2 14 - 27

Top 100 W - L 4 - 7 64 - 78 4 - 7 91 - 101 vs. Left Hander W - L 3 - 0 10 - 4 4 - 0 16 - 6

2020 Events: 8 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 18 Played (9 - 9 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 21 1st Serve Return Points Won 39.2% Double Faults 55 2nd Serve Return Points Won 56.1% 1st Serve 68.6% Break Point Opportunities 139 1st Serve Points Won 59.7% Break Points Converted 49.6% 2nd Serve Points Won 49.7% Return Games Played 177 Break Points Faced 135 Return Games Won 39% Break Points Saved 56.3% Return Points Won 45.4% Service Games Played 179 Total Points Won 51.1% Service Games Won 67% Service Points Won 56.6%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R16 Main Draw in Istanbul (d. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK #0) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3) 0 R1 Main Draw in Istanbul (d. Zarina Diyas (KAZ #0) 3-6 7-5 6-1) 0 R1 Qualifying in Prague (d. Lucie Havlickova (CZE #0) 6-2 6-3) 0

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 18 337 523 GS PM P5 P IS Other F ------SF - - - - 0 - 0 QF - - - 0 2 - 2 Other 6 - 0 2 6 2 16

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

10 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- QF Main Draw in Istanbul (l. Tereza Martincova 6-2 6-3) - QF Main Draw in Palermo (l. Petra Martic 7-6(5) 7-6(3)) - R16 Main Draw in Shenzhen (l. Qiang Wang 6-4 0-6 7-6(5)) - R3 Main Draw in US OPEN (l. Yulia Putintseva 3-6 6-2 6-1) - R2 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Caroline Garcia 7-6(5) 6-2) **R1 Main Draw in Dubai (l. Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-3) **R1 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Greet Minnen 7-6(3) 4-6 7-5) **R1 Main Draw in Adelaide (l. Danielle Collins 6-3 6-2) - R16 Qualifying in Prague (l. Elena-gabriela Ruse 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3)) - R2 Qualifying in Doha (l. Daria Kasatkina 5-7 6-1 6-1)

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - QF Qualifying in 2014 (l. Madison Brengle 4-6 6-4 6-2)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16 '15 '14

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 5 - 5 1R 3R 3R 1R 2R - -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 5 2R 1R 2R 2R 1R - -

WIMBLEDON 5 - 5 - 1R 4R 1R 2R 2R -

US OPEN 7 - 7 3R 2R 3R 2R 1R 1R 2R

TOTAL 20 - 22

OTHER INFORMATION

Currently coached by Vlado Platenik ... Mother is Natalia; younger sister is Polina ... Started playing at age 9; introduced to sport by father ... Favorite shot is backhand down the line; favorite surface is indoor hardcourt; favorite tournaments are US Open and Stuttgart ... Studying for a physical culture degree at university in Minsk ... Speaks English, Belarusian, Russian and a little bit of French ... Dream is to win Wimbledon one day.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Finalist (2): 2018 - Brisbane; 2015 - Seoul.

ADDITIONAL Belarusian Fed Cup Team, 2012-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Posted third consecutive Top 100 season (finishing No.67); SF at Sydney (l. to Kvitova); QF at Brisbane (l. to Vekic); reached 3r twice (incl. Australian Open) and 2r five times (incl. US Open); fell 1r 13 times (incl. other two majors).

2018 - Enjoyed career-best season, ending year ranked No.30 for first Top 50 finish; finished runner-up at Brisbane (as qualifier, l. to Svitolina); SF at Moscow [River Cup] (l. to Danilovic); QF at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l. to Konta); reached 4r at Wimbledon (l. to Ostapenko), 3r three times (incl. Australian Open and US Open) and 2r eight times (incl. Roland Garros); fell 1r five times and in qualifying once.

2017 - Posted first Top 100 finish of career at No.87; season highlights include SF run at 2017 Biel and QF appearance at Moscow; played all three ties during Belarus’ run to its first Fed Cup final – posted 5-1 record, including win over No.13 Stephens in final.

2016 - QF at Tokyo (l. to Osaka); reached 2r four times (incl. Australian Open and Wimbledon); fell 1r eight times (incl. other two majors) and in qualifying 10 times.

2015 - Near-Top 100 season (finishing No.103); runner-up at Seoul (l. to Begu in final); reached 2r twice (incl. Wimbledon); fell 1r four times (incl. US Open) and in qualifying seven times (incl. other two majors); also won one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Reached 2r twice (incl. US Open); fell 1r once and in qualifying eight times (incl. other three majors); made Top 100 debut on September 8 (after US Open; rose from No.120 to No.97); won four singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Fell in WTA qualifying three times; won five singles titles and three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Won three singles titles and two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2010 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2009 - Played first event of career at ITF/Minsk 2-BLR.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from KREJCIKOVA: • Making main draw debut here at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz • Fell during qualifying in 2017, her only other appearance at this event • Currently playing on a career-high singles ranking of No.74, achieved on October 26, 2020 after advancing through qualifying to reach R16 at Ostrava (l. eventual R-Up Azarenka) • Fighting into today’s QF, has spent nearly five hours on court so far (4h57) having been pushed to three sets by both Tan and Minnen • Squares off against No.92 Sasnovich; last defeated the Belarusian in their only other meeting six years ago on the ITF Circuit, en route to winning the title at $25K ITF/Torun-POL • In breakout singles season this year, enjoyed a Grand Slam breakthrough in Paris where she reached R16 at a major for the first time in her career (l. Podoroska) • In 2019, had best singles season to date, finishing at No.115. Advanced to QF at Bucharest in addition to winning four ITF singles titles on clay in North America and Europe, tallying 20 wins from 21 matches • Also in 2019, posted second Top 20 doubles season highlighted by titles at Toronto and Linz, and R-Up finish at Indian Wells (all w/Siniakova). Won Australian Open mixed doubles title w/Ram • In 2018, won first Grand Slam doubles titles of career, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and reached title match at WTA Finals (all w/Siniakova) • Owns six doubles titles, at 2020 Shenzhen (w/Siniakova), 2019 Toronto and Linz (both w/Siniakova), 2018 Roland Garros and Wimbledon (both w/Siniakova) and 2015 Québec City (w/Mestach). Has been doubles R- Up on eight occasions. • Achieved doubles career-high ranking of World No.1 on October 22, 2018 • Posted year-end finish of No.126 in 2017 (up from No.250 in 2016) • Highlight was R-Up finish in first WTA singles final at Nürnberg (l. Bertens in F). Also made QF as qualifier at Bastad (l. Garcia). Only other tour-level appearances were 1r exits at Bucharest and Québec City • Contested five WTA main draws in 2016, progressing to 2r at two events: Kuala Lumpur and Prague • Reached 2r on WTA debut as qualifier at 2014 Québec City (l. Hradecka) • On ITF Circuit, owns 14 singles and 19 doubles titles • Made professional debut at $10K ITF/Piestany-SVK in 2010

SASNOVICH: • Making main draw debut in Linz after contesting qualifying back in 2014 • Dropped just four games against No.61 Pera in 1r before having to recover from a 3-6 deficit against qualifier Fett to enter today’s QFs • A win against today’s opponent, No.74 Krejcikova, would mean advancing to the final four of tournament for the first time since reaching the Limoges 125K final back in December 2019 (l. Alexandrova in F) • Is 3-1 against Czech players this season, with sole loss coming against Martincova at Istanbul • Coming off 2r run at Roland Garros (l. Garcia) • Advanced to QF at Istanbul (l. Martincova) following a 3r showing at US Open (l. Putintseva) • Defeated No.19 Vondrousova in 2r at Flushing Meadows to record her first Top 20 victory since 2019 Madrid (d. No.15 Kontaveit) and 14th overall • Working with Vlado Platenik. Previously coached by Aliaksandr Leniuchau • Posted third consecutive Top 100 season in 2019 (finishing at No.67), down from No.30 in 2018, having reached second career WTA final and first at a Premier tournament at Brisbane (as qualifier, l. Svitolina) • Other season highlights in 2018 include SF run at Moscow [River Cup] (l. Danilovic) and QF at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l. Konta) • Best Grand Slam result came with R16 run at 2018 Wimbledon (d. No.8 Kvitova in 1r, l. Ostapenko) • Played all three ties during Belarus’ run to its first Fed Cup final in 2017 – posted 5-1 record, including win over No.13 Stephens in final • Other standout performances in 2017 were SF run at Biel and QF appearance at Premier-level Moscow • Reached maiden WTA final, at 2015 Seoul (as qualifier, l. Begu) • Made Top 100 debut on September 8, 2015 (after US Open; rose from No.120 to No.97) • In 2014 season won 11th and most recent singles title on ITF Circuit. Also owns seven ITF doubles titles • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2013 Brussels; made WTA main draw debut at 2014 US Open • Played first event of career at 2009 ITF/Minsk 2-BLR

Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 NADIA PODOROSKA

DOB Feb 10, 1997 (23)

Residence Rosario, Argentina Plays Right-handed (Two-handed backhand) 48 Height 5' 6" (1.70 m) Singles Prize Career $771,573 Ranking

Prize YTD $559,610

Career High Singles Rank 48 (Oct 12 2020) 19 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 111 (Oct 23 2017) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

ARG WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 1

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 0 0- - 0 0- - 0 0- - 0

Grand Slam W - L 5 - 1 5 - 2 8 - 1 12 - 6

Overall W - L 6 - 3 9 - 11 41 - 7 275 - 145

3 Set W - L 2 - 0 4 - 1 12 - 0 67 - 58

1 Set W - L 5 - 0 8 - 1 34 - 0 239 - 23

Tie Break W - L 0 - 0 1 - 2 5 - 6 44 - 32

Surface (HARD) W - L 0 - 1 1 - 4 18 - 3 84 - 49

Surface (CLAY) W - L 6 - 2 8 - 7 23 - 4 191 - 95

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 1

Top 5 W - L 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0

Top 10 W - L 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0

Top 20 W - L 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0

Top 100 W - L 2 - 3 3 - 11 2 - 3 6 - 14 vs. Left Hander W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 2 - 0 7 - 6

2020 Events: 3 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 9 Played (6 - 3 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 4 1st Serve Return Points Won 47.9% Double Faults 11 2nd Serve Return Points Won 55.5% 1st Serve 68.2% Break Point Opportunities 71 1st Serve Points Won 53.6% Break Points Converted 52.1% 2nd Serve Points Won 42.9% Return Games Played 72 Break Points Faced 74 Return Games Won 51.4% Break Points Saved 50% Return Points Won 50.4% Service Games Played 72 Total Points Won 50.3% Service Games Won 48.6% Service Points Won 50.2%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R1 Main Draw in Petit-bourg (guadeloupe) (d. Kendra Bunch (USA #0) 6-3 6-1) 0

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 37 309 451 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - - 3 3 SF 1 - - - 0 5 6 QF 1 - - - 0 5 6 Other 4 - - - 2 16 22

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

10 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- W in Saint-malo (d. Cristina Bucsa 4-6 7-5 6-2) - W in Petit-bourg (guadeloupe) (d. Harmony Tan 7-5 7-5) - W in Malibu 2 (d. Claire Liu 4-6 6-3 6-3) - SF Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-1) - SF Main Draw in Prague 125k (l. Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-4 6-3) - SF Main Draw in Newport Beach (l. Madison Brengle 6-4 7-6(5)) **R1 Main Draw in Palermo (l. Fiona Ferro 6-2 6-1) **R1 Main Draw in Monterrey (l. Lauren Davis 6-0 6-3) - R16 Qualifying in Prague (l. Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-6(5)) **R1 Qualifying in Acapulco (l. Kaja Juvan 7-6(5) 7-6(2))

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

Player has never previously played at this tournament.

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN - - -

ROLAND GARROS 5 - 1 SF -

WIMBLEDON - - -

US OPEN 0 - 1 - 1R

TOTAL 5 - 2

OTHER INFORMATION

Coached by Juan Pablo Guzman and Emiliano Redondi ... Born and resides in Rosario, Argentina ... Family has Ukrainian ancestry.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

ADDITIONAL Argentinian Fed Cup Team, 2014-17, 2020.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Fell in qualifying four times (incl. Australian Open); won two singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2018 - Reached 2r once; fell in qualifying twice; won one singles and two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2017 - Reached 2r twice; fell 2r twice and in qualifying five times (incl. Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon); won three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2016 - Fell 1r three times (incl. as qualifier on WTA main draw debut at Bucharest and at US Open) and in qualifying on three occasions; won two singles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2015 - Won one singles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Won four singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won one singles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Made professional debut on ITF Circuit in South America.

DOB Nov 15, 1994 (25)

Residence Prague, Czech Republic Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 33 Height 5' 9'' (1.75M) Singles Prize Career $2,343,903 Ranking

Prize YTD $670,682

Career High Singles Rank 25 (Feb 17 2020) 22 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 89 (Feb 03 2020) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 1

RUS WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 1

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 2- - 1 79 - 23 2- - 1 1012 - 34

Grand Slam W - L 5 - 3 12 - 16 5 - 3 16 - 17

Overall W - L 19 - 12 67 - 64 19 - 12 298 - 176

3 Set W - L 6 - 3 21 - 23 6 - 3 89 - 77

1 Set W - L 16 - 3 54 - 14 16 - 3 254 - 42

Tie Break W - L 2 - 4 11 - 19 2 - 4 71 - 55

Surface (HARD) W - L 13 - 6 48 - 35 13 - 6 148 - 80

Surface (CLAY) W - L 4 - 5 10 - 19 4 - 5 115 - 75

Surface (GRASS) W - L 2 - 1 8 - 9 2 - 1 16 - 12

Top 5 W - L 0 - 1 1 - 6 0 - 1 1 - 6

Top 10 W - L 0 - 3 2 - 11 0 - 3 2 - 11

Top 20 W - L 1 - 4 5 - 16 1 - 4 5 - 16

Top 100 W - L 11 - 10 43 - 50 11 - 10 60 - 64 vs. Left Hander W - L 3 - 1 10 - 4 3 - 1 18 - 14

2020 Events: 13 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 31 Played (19 - 12 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 128 1st Serve Return Points Won 37.0% Double Faults 127 2nd Serve Return Points Won 55.7% 1st Serve 60.4% Break Point Opportunities 241 1st Serve Points Won 67.5% Break Points Converted 47.3% 2nd Serve Points Won 43.2% Return Games Played 311 Break Points Faced 206 Return Games Won 36% Break Points Saved 53.4% Return Points Won 44.2% Service Games Played 303 Total Points Won 50.9% Service Games Won 69% Service Points Won 57.9%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R1 Main Draw in New York (d. Elena Rybakina (KAZ #17) 7-5 7-6(6)) 17

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 28 366 502 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - 1 - 1 SF - - - 1 1 - 2 QF - - - - 1 - 1 Other 8 - 4 3 7 2 24

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- W in Shenzhen (d. Elena Rybakina 6-2 6-4) - SF Main Draw in St. Petersburg (l. Kiki Bertens 6-1 4-6 6-1) - R16 Main Draw in Strasbourg (l. Katerina Siniakova 6-2 6-4) - R16 Main Draw in Palermo (l. Fiona Ferro 7-5 6-2) - R3 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Elina Svitolina 6-4 7-5) - R3 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Petra Kvitova 6-1 6-2) - R2 Main Draw in US OPEN (l. Catherine Mcnally 4-6 6-3 7-6(2)) - R2 Main Draw in New York (l. Christina Mchale 6-1 7-6(8)) **R1 Main Draw in Ostrava (l. Anett Kontaveit 4-6 6-2 7-6(6)) **R1 Main Draw in Rome (l. Elena Rybakina 6-0 6-4) **R1 Main Draw in Prague (l. Lesia Tsurenko 6-2 6-4) **R1 Main Draw in Doha (l. Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6(4))

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

3 appearances at LINZ: - F Main Draw in 2018 (l. eventual champion Camila Giorgi 6-3 6-1) - SF Main Draw in 2019 (l. Jelena Ostapenko 1-6 7-6(5) 7-5) - R16 Qualifying in 2016 (l. Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4 7-6(6))

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 3 - 4 3R 1R 2R 1R -

ROLAND GARROS 5 - 4 3R 3R 1R 2R -

WIMBLEDON 1 - 4 - 1R 1R 1R 2R

US OPEN 3 - 4 2R 2R 1R 2R -

TOTAL 12 - 16

OTHER INFORMATION

Coached by Vojtech Flegl; also works with father, Evgeny ... Mother is Julia, also has sister, Anna, and brother Jury ... Began playing tennis at age 6 ... Favorite shot is forehand; favorite surface is hard ... Speaks Russian, English and Czech ... Likes to cook, especially making cakes ... Admires Serena Williams.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (1): 2020 - Shenzhen. Finalist (1): 2018 - Linz.

DOUBLES Winner (1): 2019 - Budapest (w/Zvonareva).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (3): 2019 - Limoges; 2018 - Limoges; 2016 - Limoges. Russian Fed Cup Team, 2020.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Posted 30 tour-level match wins during 2019 season, in which she reached SF at Budapest, Seoul and Linz and made QF at St.Petersburg, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Eastbourne and Moscow. Made Top 50 debut after QF run at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (June 17, 2019). Other highlights in 2019 included upset of No.5 Halep en route to R16 at Beijing – the first win of her career over a Top 5 player – and 3r showing at Roland Garros.

2018 - Second Top 100 season (finishing No.93); runner-up at Linz (l. to Giorgi); QF at Seoul (l. to S.Hsieh); reached 2r three times (incl. Australian Open); fell 1r eight times (incl. other three majors) and in qualifying four times; won one WTA 125K Series singles title.

2017 - Broke into the Top 100 on March 20, finishing the year at No.73. Played in all four Grand Slam main draws for the first time in her career, reaching 2r at Roland Garros and US Open. Achieved the best win of her career in Paris, defeating No.38 Siniakova in 1r. Also won a pair of ITF finals, giving her seven such titles throughout her career.

2016 - Reached 2r three times (incl. at Wimbledon and on WTA main draw debut at Katowice); fell in qualifying five times; won one WTA 125K Series singles title.

2015 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Played first WTA qualifying at Bad Gastein; won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won three singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Played first events on ITF Circuit.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from PODOROSKA: • Making first appearance in Linz sitting at her career high ranking of No.48 • Playing for the first time as a seeded player, earned tenth career WTA main draw win with victory over Begu in 1r • In 2r, came back from a set down to the 2018 champion, Giorgi to book QF • Faces No.33 Alexandrova today aiming for third career Top 50 win • Coming off breakout run to SF of Roland Garros as a qualifier in only second career Grand Slam main draw - had previously never reached beyond the 2r of a WTA tournament in her career • She was the first qualifier to make SF in Roland Garros history and earned her first two Top 50 wins over No.27 Putintseva in 2r and No.5 Svitolina in QF • Result helped her jump from No.131 to No.48 for first time in the Top 100 – was the lowest ranked women’s semifinalist at Roland Garros in the Open Era • Before dream fortnight in Paris, had won 14th career title on ITF Circuit at $60K Saint-Malo-FRA; posted career- high ranking of No.130 after the tournament (September 14, 2020) • Made SF at WTA 125K Series event at Prague in early September (l. Cocciaretto) • Fell 1r at Palermo (as qualifier, l. eventual champion Ferro) and in qualifying at Prague • Prior to the tour’s hiatus, suffered 1r exit at Monterrey (as qualifier, l. Davis) and contested qualifying at Acapulco • Won all three singles rubbers as Argentina went undefeated in its Fed Cup Americas Group I campaign to secure a berth in next year’s Fed Cup Play-offs. • Made SF at WTA 125K Series event at Newport Beach (l. Brengle) • Opened the season with back-to-back titles at $25K ITF/Malibu, CA-USA and $25K ITF/Petit Bourg-FRA • Ended 2019 ranked No.255 (up from No.320 in 2018) • Won gold medal at 2019 Pan American Games in Lima (d. Dolehide in F) to earn a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games • Also in 2019, lifted titles at $25K ITF/Santa Margherita Di Pula-ITA and $25K ITF/Monzon-ESP • Only tour-level outing in 2018 was 2r run at Nurnberg (as qualifier, l. Flipkens) • Won first tour-level match during 2r showing at 2017 Monterrey (d. Brengle, l. No.24 Garcia). Also in 2017 made 2r at Bucharest and fell 1r at Bogota and Rabat • Posted only Top 200 year-end finish of her career in 2016 after compiling 45-24 record and lifting two titles on ITF Circuit • Also in 2016 made debut in WTA qualifying at Rabat and then fell 1r on main draw bow at Bucharest (as qualifier, l. Kovinic) • Owns six Top 100 wins in her career: No.97 Minella (2016 $50K ITF/Las Vegas, NV-USA), No.100 Brengle (2017 Monterrey), No.86 Giorgi (2017 Moscow qualifying), No.87 Maria (2020 WTA 125K Series Newport Beach), No.27 Putintseva and No.5 Svitolina (both at 2020 Roland Garros) • Member of Argentina Fed Cup team 2014-17, 2020 • Owns 14 singles and eight doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Made professional debut on ITF Circuit in 2011 • Coached by Juan Pablo Guzman and Emiliano Redondi • Born and resides in Rosario, Argentina • Family has Ukrainian ancestry

ALEXANDROVA: • Making third main draw appearance in Linz and fourth overall • Only former finalist remaining in the draw having made the final in 2018 as a qualifier while ranked No.119 (l. Giorgi) • Also made SF here last year as No.8 seed having jumped to No.35 in the rankings in that time span (l. Ostapenko) • Earned two straight sets victories over Siniakova in 1r and fellow Russian Gracheva in 2r • Faces No.48 Podoroska in twelfth career QF today appearance aiming to make SF for third year in a row • Is 2-0 in QF appearances this year (6-5 career record) looking for third SF of the season, also reached final four at Shenzhen (d. Rybakina in F) and St. Petersburg (l. eventual champion Bertens in SF) • Arrives in Linz off the back of 1r exit at Ostrava (l. Kontaveit) in which she was unable to convert two match points • Made 3r run at Roland Garros, defeated Inglis and Sharma before falling to Svitolina to match best Slam result to date • Suffered 1r exit at Rome (l. Rybakina) and 2r visit in Strasbourg (l. Siniakova) • Made back-to-back 2r showings at Western & Southern Open (l. McHale) and US Open (d. Clijsters, l. McNally) • Fell 2r at Palermo (l. Ferro) and 1r at Prague (l. Tsurenko) • Opened 2020 season by winning first tour-level WTA singles title at Shenzhen (d. Rybakina in F, having dispatched seeds Wang (QF) and Muguruza (SF) along the way) • Extended winning streak to seven by advancing to 3r at Australian Open (l. Kvitova) – was seeded for the first time at a major (No.25) • One of three maiden title winners in 2020 – also Brady (Lexington) and Tig (Istanbul) • Won both singles rubbers (d. Bogdan and Ruse) as Russia beat Romania in Cluj-Napoca to reach next year’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals • In February reached maiden Premier-level SF at St. Petersburg (l. Bertens) and fell 1r at Doha (l. Anisimova); rose to career-high ranking of No.25 after St. Petersburg run (February 17, 2020) • Posted first Top 40 season finish in 2019, at No.35 (up from No.93 the year prior) • Registered 30 tour-level match wins during 2019, in which she reached SF at Budapest, Seoul and Linz and made QF at St. Petersburg, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Eastbourne and Moscow. Also advanced to 3r at a major for the first time, at Roland Garros • Made Top 50 debut after QF run at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (June 17, 2019) • Other highlights in 2019 included upset of No.5 Halep en route to R16 at Beijing – the first win of her career over a Top 5 player – and 3r showing at Roland Garros • Won first WTA doubles title at 2019 Budapest (w/Zvonareva) • Reached maiden WTA final at 2018 Linz (l. Giorgi). Other notable results in 2018 were QF run at Seoul (d. No.10 Ostapenko en route for her first career Top 10 win) and lifted WTA 125K Series title at Limoges for second time • Made Top 100 debut at No.93 after winning title at $60K ITF/Shenzhen-CHN (March 20, 2017) • Won WTA 125K Series title at Limoges in 2016 (d. Garcia in F). Also in 2016 reached 2r at Wimbledon (won her way through qualifying, on first attempt to qualify at any Slam, upsetting No.23 seed Ivanovic in 1r) • Reached 2r on WTA main draw debut at 2016 Katowice (as qualifier, l. eventual R-Up Giorgi) • Contested qualifying for the first time at a WTA-level tournament at 2014 Bad Gastein • Played first professional events of career on ITF Circuit in 2011 • Coached by Vojtech Flegl and her father, Evgeny Alexandrov, who both travel with her • Born in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and began playing tennis at age six; remembers playing on holiday at Spain. Now trains in Prague, Czech Republic • Favorite surface is hard and admires Serena Williams

Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA

DOB Apr 24, 1997 (23)

Residence Moscow,Russia Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 46 Height 5’8” (1.75 m) Singles Prize Career $1,671,537 Ranking

Prize YTD $476,231

Career High Singles Rank 38 (Feb 03 2020) 35 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 22 (Sep 14 2020) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

RUS WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 1

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 3- - 1 3- - 1 3- - 1 3- - 1

Grand Slam W - L 1 - 3 4 - 7 1 - 3 12 - 14

Overall W - L 13 - 14 46 - 40 20 - 15 238 - 159

3 Set W - L 6 - 7 20 - 15 8 - 8 76 - 54

1 Set W - L 10 - 4 35 - 8 15 - 4 194 - 28

Tie Break W - L 7 - 2 16 - 10 8 - 2 58 - 46

Surface (HARD) W - L 9 - 10 24 - 24 16 - 11 138 - 94

Surface (CLAY) W - L 1 - 3 13 - 11 1 - 3 62 - 50

Surface (GRASS) W - L 3 - 1 9 - 5 3 - 1 15 - 9

Top 5 W - L 1 - 0 2 - 0 1 - 0 2 - 0

Top 10 W - L 2 - 2 4 - 3 2 - 2 4 - 3

Top 20 W - L 2 - 4 5 - 8 2 - 4 5 - 8

Top 100 W - L 9 - 12 32 - 32 9 - 12 40 - 44 vs. Left Hander W - L 0 - 0 7 - 3 1 - 0 18 - 11

2020 Events: 12 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 27 Played (13 - 14 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 135 1st Serve Return Points Won 31.1% Double Faults 66 2nd Serve Return Points Won 53.8% 1st Serve 61.4% Break Point Opportunities 213 1st Serve Points Won 66.9% Break Points Converted 39.9% 2nd Serve Points Won 44.0% Return Games Played 296 Break Points Faced 207 Return Games Won 26.4% Break Points Saved 55.1% Return Points Won 41.5% Service Games Played 297 Total Points Won 49.6% Service Games Won 69.4% Service Points Won 58.1%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R2 Main Draw in New York (d. Karolina Pliskova (CZE #3) 7-5 6-4) 3

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 23 276 415 GS PM P5 P IS Other F ------SF - - - - 1 - 1 QF - - - 1 - - 1 Other 4 - 6 6 3 2 21

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- SF Main Draw in Hobart (l. Shuai Zhang 6-3 6-4) - QF Main Draw in Ostrava (l. Jennifer Brady 6-7(5) 6-3 6-1) - R16 Main Draw in New York (l. Elise Mertens 6-2 6-3) - R16 Main Draw in Dubai (l. Garbiñe Muguruza 7-5 4-6 6-4) - R16 Main Draw in St. Petersburg (l. Kiki Bertens 6-1 6-2) - R2 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Petra Martic 6-7(1) 7-5 6-3) - R2 Main Draw in Doha (l. Belinda Bencic 6-4 4-6 7-6(4)) **R1 Main Draw in Rome (l. Barbora Strycova 6-3 6-3) **R1 Main Draw in Us Open (l. Iga Swiatek 6-3 6-3) **R1 Main Draw in Prague (l. Eugenie Bouchard 6-0 6-3) **R1 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Sara Sorribes Tormo 2-6 6-1 6-1) - QF Qualifying in Brisbane (l. Marie Bouzkova 7-5 4-6 6-3)

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

Player has never previously played at this tournament.

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 0 - 2 1R 1R

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 2 2R 3R

WIMBLEDON 1 - 1 - 2R

US OPEN 0 - 2 1R 1R

TOTAL 4 - 7

OTHER INFORMATION

Coached by husband Sergei Demekhine ... Born in Kazan, Russia, now based in Moscow and trains at CSKA club ... Father, Eduard, was a Russian national ice hockey champion; teenage sister, Polina, is on the junior circuit ... She started playing tennis at the age of eight ... Off the court, has a passion for cooking and her specialty is roasted chicken with potatoes and garlic.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

DOUBLES Winner (1): 2019 - Wuhan (w/Duan). Finalist (2): 2019 - Charleston (w/Khromacheva), Lugano (w/Voskoboeva).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (1): 2019 - Guadalajara. Doubles (4): 2018 - Limoges (w/Voskoboeva), Mumbai (w/Dzalamidze); 2017 - Taipei (w/Sabalenka); 2016 - Taipei (w/Dzalamidze). Russian Fed Cup Team, 2014, 2018, 2020.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - First Top 100 season (finishing No.41); SF at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. to Riske), Hiroshima (l. to Doi) and Tianjin (l. to Watson); QF at Shenzhen (l. to Zvonareva), Lugano (l. to Hercog), Istanbul (l. to Gasparyan), Nürnberg (l. to Zidansek) and Moscow (l. to Pavlyuchenkova); reached 3r twice (incl. Roland Garros) and 2r four times (incl. Wimbledon); fell 1r six times (incl. other two majors) and in qualifying on five occasions; won one WTA doubles title; won one WTA 125K Series singles title.

2018 - QF at 's-Hertogenbosch (l. to Krunic) and Gstaad (l. to Bouchard); reached 2r twice (incl. as qualifier on WTA main draw debut at Stuttgart); fell 1r once and in qualifying nine times (incl. all four majors); won two WTA 125K Series doubles titles; won one singles title on ITF CIrcuit.

2017 - Fell in qualifying nine times (incl. all four majors); won one WTA 125K Series doubles title; won four doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2016 - Fell in qualifying once; won one WTA 125K Series doubles title; won two singles and six doubles titles on ITF Circuit

2015 - Won two doubles titles on ITF Circuit

2014 - Played first WTA qualifying at Moscow; won one singles and two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Won first events of her career on ITF Circuit.

DOB Nov 17, 1995 (24)

Residence Hamont-Achel, Belgium Plays Right-handed (Two-handed backhand) 21 Height 5' 10" (1.79 m) Singles Prize Career $7,066,203 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,109,558

Career High Singles Rank 12 (Nov 26 2018) 9 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Sep 09 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 5

BEL WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 10

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0 - 12

Grand Slam W - L 9 - 3 35 - 15 9 - 3 44 - 20

Overall W - L 30 - 13 146 - 85 30 - 13 314 - 172

3 Set W - L 5 - 5 40 - 31 5 - 5 74 - 56

1 Set W - L 29 - 4 134 - 19 29 - 4 284 - 34

Tie Break W - L 3 - 3 26 - 31 3 - 3 39 - 52

Surface (HARD) W - L 21 - 8 89 - 52 21 - 8 207 - 105

Surface (CLAY) W - L 9 - 4 42 - 18 9 - 4 80 - 45

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 15 - 15 0 - 1 24 - 19

Top 5 W - L 1 - 3 4 - 11 1 - 3 4 - 11

Top 10 W - L 1 - 4 7 - 19 1 - 4 7 - 19

Top 20 W - L 1 - 6 14 - 40 1 - 6 14 - 40

Top 100 W - L 23 - 11 110 - 75 23 - 11 115 - 81 vs. Left Hander W - L 2 - 0 14 - 3 2 - 0 24 - 6

2020 Events: 13 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 43 Played (30 - 13 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 121 1st Serve Return Points Won 40.0% Double Faults 129 2nd Serve Return Points Won 56.4% 1st Serve 61.7% Break Point Opportunities 344 1st Serve Points Won 68.3% Break Points Converted 49.1% 2nd Serve Points Won 48.5% Return Games Played 412 Break Points Faced 259 Return Games Won 41% Break Points Saved 61% Return Points Won 46.0% Service Games Played 399 Total Points Won 53.2% Service Games Won 74.7% Service Points Won 60.8%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R16 Main Draw in Us Open (d. Sofia Kenin (USA #4) 6-3 6-3) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 42 424 491 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - 1 - 1 SF - - 1 - 1 - 2 QF 1 - 2 1 3 - 7 Other 11 - 8 4 7 2 32

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- F Main Draw in Prague (l. Simona Halep 6-2 7-5) - SF Main Draw in New York (l. Naomi Osaka 6-2 7-6(5)) - QF Main Draw in Ostrava (l. Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-1) - QF Main Draw in Rome (l. Karolina Pliskova 6-3 3-6 6-0) - QF Main Draw in US OPEN (l. Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-0) - QF Main Draw in Hobart (l. Heather Watson 6-7(5) 6-4 7-5) - QF Main Draw in Shenzhen (l. Elena Rybakina 6-4 4-6 6-2) - R16 Main Draw in Dubai (l. Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-3) - R16 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Simona Halep 6-4 6-4) - R3 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Caroline Garcia 1-6 6-4 7-5) - R2 Main Draw in Doha (l. Yulia Putintseva 4-6 6-3 6-2) **R1 Main Draw in Palermo (l. Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4 6-1)

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - R1 Qualifying in 2016 (l. Ana Bogdan 6-2 6-4)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 10 - 3 4R 3R SF - -

ROLAND GARROS 9 - 4 3R 3R 4R 3R -

WIMBLEDON 5 - 3 - 4R 3R 1R -

US OPEN 11 - 5 QF QF 4R 1R 1R

TOTAL 35 - 15

OTHER INFORMATION

Currently coached by Robbie Ceyssens, formerly worked with Dieter Kindlmann ... Previously trained under Belgian Federation until early teens, also spent a year at the Mouratoglou Academy in Paris ... Favorite surface is grass, favorite shot is the serve...Began playing tennis at age 4, introduced to game by older sister Lauren, an airline pilot with KLM...First tennis memory is watching Kim Clijsters playing live...Mother is Liliane Barbe (teaches languages and history); father is Guido Mertens (makes furniture for churches)...Was home schooled, enjoyed studying languages...Loves animals and has lots of pets at home, four dogs and a variety of birds (pheasants, peacocks, chickens, cranes)...Speaks English, Dutch/Flemish and French.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (5): 2019 - Doha; 2018 - Hobart, Lugano, Rabat; 2017 - Hobart. Finalist (2): 2020 - Prague; 2017 - Istanbul. DOUBLES Winner (10): 2020 - Ostrava (w/Sabalenka); 2019 - Indian Wells, Miami, US Open (all w/Sabalenka); 2018 - Hobart, 's-Hertogenbosch, Wuhan (all w/Schuurs), Lugano (w/Flipkens); 2017 - Guangzhou (w/Schuurs); 2016 - Auckland (w/Mestach). Finalist (4): 2018 - Birmingham, Cincinnati (both w/Schuurs); 2017 - Bucharest (w/Schuurs), Istanbul (w/Melichar).

ADDITIONAL Belgian Fed Cup Team, 2017-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Second Top-20 season (finishing No.17); won one WTA title at Doha (d. Halep in final); SF at Osaka (l. to Osaka); QF four times at Sydney (l. to Barty), Rabat (l. to Sakkari), Mallorca (l. to Kenin) and US Open (l. to Andreescu); reached 4r once (Wimbledon), 3r five times (incl. other two majors) and 2r seven times; fell 1r six times and in RR at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai (1-1 record).

2018 - First Top-20 season (finishing No.13); won three WTA titles at Hobart (d. Buzarnescu in final), Lugano (d. Sabalenka in final) and Rabat (d. Tomljanovic in final); SF at Australian Open (l. to Wozniacki) and San Jose (l. to Buzarenescu); QF three times at Montréal (l. to Svitolina), Cincinnati (l. to Kvitova) and Tianjin (l. to Hsieh); reached 4r at Roland Garros and US Open, 3r three times (incl. Wimbledon) and 2r four; fell 1r five times in RR at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai (1-1 record); having started season at No.35, made Top 20 debut on January 29 (after Australian Open; rose from No.37 to No.20); won four WTA doubles titles.

2017 - Enjoyed career-best season, ending year ranked No.35 for first Top 50 finish; won career first WTA singles title as a qualifier at Hobart (d. Niculescu in final); reached second tour-level final at Istanbul (l. to Svitolina in final); enjoyed best Grand Slam run so far by reaching 3r at Roland Garros (l. to V.Williams); SF at Bastad (l. to Wozniacki), New Haven (l. to Cibulkova) and Luxembourg (l. to Puig); QF at Biel (l. to Kontaveit) and Tokyo [Japan Open] (l. to McHale); reached 2r six times; fell 1r on eight occasions (incl. Wimbledon and US Open) and in qualifying four times; won one WTA doubles title.

2016 - Played first WTA main draw at 's-Hertogenbosch (as qualifier, l. to Mladenovic in QF); reached 2r once; fell 1r once (US Open) and in qualifying nine times; won one singles title on ITF Circuit; won one WTA doubles title.

2015 - Played first WTA qualifying at Antwerp; fell in qualifying on six other occasions; also won two titles on ITF Circuit. 2014 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Did not play.

2010 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from KUDERMETOVA: • Making debut here in Linz as one of a tournament leading four Russians to start the main draw • In 1r, earned her first ever 6-0 6-0 victory over WC Haas and in 2r, hit seven aces to notch the 3s win over Rus • Faces No.21 Mertens today – has not won a match against the Belgian in their previous two meetings • Owns 8-10 record against players ranked in the Top 25, last such win came over No.6 Ka.Pliskova at Ostrava • Also beat then No.3 Ka.Pliskova at the Western and Southern Open this year before losing to today’s opponent Mertens 6-2, 6-3 in R16 • Also played Mertens in R16 at 2016 Moscow where she took the first set but ended up losing the match 7-6(3) 4-6 2-6 • Seeking fifth career SF appearance at WTA event, and second such result of 2020 campaign - also Hobart (l. Zhang in SF) • Coming off 12th career QF appearance at Ostrava (l. Brady) • Posted 2r showing at Roland Garros (l. Martic in 3s), defeated Parmentier in 1r in Paris in what was the Frenchwoman’s final singles match of her career • Fell 1r at US Open (l. Swiatek) and at Rome (l. Strycova) after a 3r run at Western & Southern Open (l. Mertens) • At US Open, also reached SF in doubles w/Blinkova (l. eventual champions Siegemund/Zvonareva) • Defeated No.3 Ka.Pliskova at Western & Southern Open for her fourth career Top 20 victory (also No.13 Wozniacki at 2019 Roland Garros, No.10 Bencic at 2019 Wuhan and No.4 Svitolina at 2019 Moscow) • Upon her return to action, suffered 1r exit at Prague (l. Bouchard) • Before tour’s hiatus, made 2r at St. Petersburg (l. eventual champion Bertens), Dubai (l. Muguruza) and Doha (l. Bencic) • Represented Russia in Fed Cup qualifying vs. Romania in February, falling to Bogdan and Cristian in both singles rubbers • Fell 1r at Australian Open (l. Sorribes Tormo) • Posted SF run at Hobart (l. S.Zhang) after opening 2020 season by losing in final round of qualifying at Brisbane • Ended 2019 ranked No.41 for career-best year-end ranking, rising from No.115 at the end of 2018 • Played main draw at all four majors for first time in 2019, posting a career-best Grand Slam run to the 3r at Roland Garros, up-setting Wozniacki in 1r (l. Kanepi in 3r) • Other 2019 highlights included SF finishes at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. eventual champion Riske), Hiroshima (l. Doi) and Tianjin (l. Watson). Picked up the biggest title of career at WTA 125K Series event at Guadalajara (d. Bouzkova in F) • Posted first two Top 10 wins of career in final weeks of 2019, over No.10 Bencic at Wuhan and No.4 Svitolina at Moscow • Won career first WTA doubles title at 2019 Wuhan with Duan (d. Mertens/Sabalenka in F); also R-Up at Charleston (w/Khromacheva) and Lugano (w/Voskoboeva) in 2019 • Won biggest singles title of career at WTA 125K Series event at 2019 Guadalajara (d. Bouzkova in F) • Made Top 100 debut at No.98 following 2019 St Petersburg, where she reached 2r as LL (week of February 4, 2019) • Made WTA main draw debut at 2018 Stuttgart, reaching 2r (d. No.25 Suarez Navarro, l. eventual champion Ka.Pliskova) • Posted two QF runs in 2018, at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. eventual champion Krunic) and Gstaad (l. Bouchard) • Won two doubles titles in 2018 at WTA 125k Series events, at Mumbai (w/Dzalamidze) and Limoges (w/Voskoboeva). Also has titles at this level from Taipei in 2016 (w/Dzalamidze) and 2017 (w/Sabalenka) • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2014 Moscow • Contested first Tour-level match representing Russia in Fed Cup action in 2014 vs. Australia (l. Stosur) • On ITF Circuit, owns four singles titles and 16 doubles titles • Siegemund/Zvonareva) • Coached by husband Sergey Demekhin, former coach of Vera Zvonareva • Teenage sister, Polina, is on the junior circuit and contested Australian Open girls’ singles last January • Born in Kazan, Russia. Based in Moscow and trains at CSKA club • Off the court, has a passion for cooking and her specialty is roasted chicken with potatoes and garlic

MERTENS: • Making first main draw appearance in Linz having fallen in qualifying back in 2016 (l. Bogdan in 1r) • Entered this week as the WTA’s tour-leading match winner for 2020, now with 32 wins for the season • Earned her milestone 200th career main draw win with victory over qualifier Kalinina in 1r • Booked spot in QF with 3s win in 2r over 2008 runner-up Zvonareva • Has now won two or more matches at each of her last six tournaments since suffering 1r loss to No.104 Sasnovich at Palermo – the first tournament following the tour’s return • Seeks to replicate previous wins over today’s competitor, No.46 Kudermetova after earning victories over the Russian at 2016 Moscow and earlier this year at 2020 Western and Southern Open • Contesting eighth QF of 2020 campaign and aiming to advance to third SF of the year (15th of career) - also in 2020 has reached SF at Prague (l. Halep in F) and Western and Southern Open (l. Osaka in SF) • Coming off QF showing at Ostrava (l. Azarenka) where she also won her tenth career doubles title with partner Sabalenka • Posted 3r showing at Roland Garros (l. Garcia) and back-to-back QF runs at US Open (l. Azarenka) and Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Defeated No.4 and reigning Australian Open champion Kenin in R16 at Flushing Meadows to record her first Top 10 win of the season (7-19 career record) • Made SF at Western & Southern Open (l. Osaka) • Bounced back from Palermo result the following week at Prague, where she finished R-Up (l. Halep). Is now 5-2 in WTA singles finals • Fell 1r in the first week of the tour’s return at Palermo (l. Sasnovich) • In February made 2r exit in defense of Doha title (l. Putintseva) and also fell at this stage the previous week at Dubai (l. Sa-balenka) • Began the season with QF runs at Shenzhen (l. Rybakina) and Hobart (l. Watson – 3h 33m match is the longest so far in 2020) and R16 showing at Australian Open (l. Halep) • Ended 2019 ranked No.17 for second consecutive Top 20 finish • Singles highlight was winning biggest title of career at Doha (d. No.3 Halep in final). Also beat No.8 Bertens and No.6 Kerber in Doha, doubling career total of Top 10 wins to six • Advanced to QF at US Open for the first time (l. eventual champion Andreescu in 3s) and R16 at Wimbledon for the first time (l. Strycova, having led 6-4 5-2). Reached QF during defense of Rabat title (l. eventual champion Sakkari) • Enjoyed standout season in doubles in 2019 - won maiden major doubles title at US Open w/Sabalenka (d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Also Completed ‘Sunshine Double’ in doubles (w/Sabalenka), lifting the back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova) and Miami (d. Stosur/Zhang), and qualified for Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen (went 1-2 in RR) • Won three singles titles in 2018 (Hobart, Rabat and Lugano), one of six players on tour with three or more titles to their name that year - also Kvitova (5), Svitolina (4), Bertens (3), Halep (3) and Wozniacki (3) • Also in 2018, advanced to first Grand Slam SF of career at 2018 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) • Finished 2018 with 46 main draw match wins across the campaign – only Ka.Pliskova (49) and Kvitova (47) registered more. By contrast, prior to 2018 season owned only 36 wins at this level across entire career • Reached career-high No.12 on November 26, 2018 • In doubles in 2018, won four titles and reached QF at WTA Finals (w/Schuurs) • Finished 2017 season at No.35, up from No.120 in 2016 – first Top 50 and Top 100 year-end finish 2017 season highlighted by first career singles title at Hobart (as a qualifier, d. Niculescu in F) • Registered first Top 10 win of career over No.10 Cibulkova in 1r at 2017 Beijing • Made WTA singles main draw debut at 2016 ‘s-Hertogenbosch – made QF (as qualifier, l. Mladenovic) • Won first WTA title of any kind in doubles at 2016 Auckland (w/Mestach). Now has nine doubles titles – also 2017 Guang-zhou (w/Schuurs), 2018 Hobart (w/Schuurs), 2018 Lugano (w/Flipkens), 2018 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (w/Schuurs), 2018 Wu-han (w/Schuurs), 2019 Indian Wells-Miami double (w/Sabalenka) and 2019 US Open (w/Sabalenka) • Played first tour-level event of career at 2015 Antwerp (fell in qualifying) • Has 11 singles and 14 doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium in 2010 • Working once again with former coach Robbe Ceyssens having been coached by both David Taylor and Dieter Kindlmann • Earlier coaching history includes Belgian federation until early teens, as well as a year at the Mouratoglou Academy • Mother is Liliane Barbe (teaches languages and history); father is Guido Mertens (makes furniture for churches). Was home schooled, enjoyed studying languages • Loves animals and has lots of pets at home, four dogs and a variety of birds (pheasants, peacocks, chickens)

Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 ARYNA SABALENKA

DOB May 5, 1998 (22)

Residence Belarus Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 11 Height 5' 11" (1.82 m) Singles Prize Career $6,779,310 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,214,684

Career High Singles Rank 9 (Feb 04 2019) 8 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Oct 21 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 2 / 7

BLR WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 4

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1

Grand Slam W - L 3 - 3 11 - 12 3 - 3 16 - 16

Overall W - L 24 - 11 121 - 63 24 - 11 225 - 122

3 Set W - L 10 - 6 46 - 26 10 - 6 76 - 57

1 Set W - L 17 - 2 98 - 11 17 - 2 186 - 27

Tie Break W - L 5 - 8 25 - 26 5 - 8 49 - 47

Surface (HARD) W - L 18 - 7 96 - 40 18 - 7 172 - 77

Surface (CLAY) W - L 6 - 3 15 - 13 6 - 3 32 - 32

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 10 - 10 0 - 1 16 - 12

Top 5 W - L 1 - 2 5 - 6 1 - 2 5 - 6

Top 10 W - L 1 - 3 12 - 13 1 - 3 12 - 13

Top 20 W - L 4 - 3 25 - 18 4 - 3 25 - 18

Top 100 W - L 20 - 10 102 - 55 20 - 10 104 - 60 vs. Left Hander W - L 4 - 1 10 - 8 4 - 1 17 - 10

2020 Events: 12 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 35 Played (24 - 11 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 131 1st Serve Return Points Won 38.1% Double Faults 156 2nd Serve Return Points Won 56.2% 1st Serve 60.7% Break Point Opportunities 304 1st Serve Points Won 67.6% Break Points Converted 48% 2nd Serve Points Won 47.5% Return Games Played 380 Break Points Faced 237 Return Games Won 38.4% Break Points Saved 53.6% Return Points Won 45.0% Service Games Played 390 Total Points Won 52.4% Service Games Won 71.8% Service Points Won 59.7%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) QF Main Draw in Adelaide (d. Simona Halep (ROU #4) 6-4 6-2) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 34 290 344 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - 1 1 - - 2 SF - - 1 2 1 - 4 QF - - 1 3 1 - 5 Other 6 - 4 5 6 2 23

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

11 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- W in Ostrava (d. Victoria Azarenka 6-2 6-2) - W in Doha (d. Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-3) - SF Main Draw in Strasbourg (l. Elina Svitolina 6-2 4-6 6-4) - SF Main Draw in Adelaide (l. Dayana Yastremska 6-4 7-6(4)) - QF Main Draw in Dubai (l. Simona Halep 3-6 6-2 6-2) - R16 Main Draw in New York (l. Jessica Pegula 6-2 2-6 6-3) - R16 Main Draw in Lexington (l. Cori Gauff 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4) - R16 Main Draw in Shenzhen (l. Kristyna Pliskova 6-4 6-4) - R3 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Ons Jabeur 7-6(7) 2-6 6-3) - R2 Main Draw in US OPEN (l. Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3) **R1 Main Draw in Australian Open (l. Carla Suárez Navarro 7-6(6) 7-6(6))

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

Player has never previously played at this tournament.

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2 - 3 1R 3R 1R -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 3 3R 2R 1R -

WIMBLEDON 1 - 3 - 1R 1R 2R

US OPEN 5 - 3 2R 2R 4R -

TOTAL 11 - 12

OTHER INFORMATION

Currently without a full-time coach; previously coached by Dmitry Tursunov and Didi Kindlmann... Started playing tennis when she was 6 by an accidentFollow WTA when on her Twitter: father www.twitter.com/WTASergey drove by the tennis courtsFacebook: and www.facebook.com/WTAdecided to give it a try... LovesYouTube: her family andwww.youtube.com/WTA her young sister... Loves toInsights laugh, has a sweet tooth and considers something sweet as a perfect present... Dreams of having a dog... Loves her grandmother’s cooking,from and looks forward to her pancakes when she is away from home... She spends her time off with family, catching up with friends, or reading. Her favorite book is “The Count of Monte Cristo”... Favorite movies are Titanic, Home Alone, Never Back Down... Her role model is Roger Federer

Facebook - sabalenkatennis Twitter - @SabalenkaA Instagram - sabalenka_aryna Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 ARYNA SABALENKA

Currently without a full-time coach; previously coached by Dmitry Tursunov and Didi Kindlmann... Started playing tennis when she was 6 by an accident when her father Sergey drove by the tennis courts and decided to give it a try... Loves her family and her young sister... Loves to laugh, has a sweet tooth and considers something sweet as a perfect present... Dreams of having a dog... Loves her grandmother’s cooking, and looks forward to her pancakes when she is away from home... She spends her time off with family, catching up with friends, or reading. Her favorite book is “The Count of Monte Cristo”... Favorite movies are Titanic, Home Alone, Never Back Down... Her role model is Roger Federer

Facebook - sabalenkatennis Twitter - @SabalenkaA Instagram - sabalenka_aryna

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (7): 2020 - Doha, Ostrava; 2019 - Shenzhen, Wuhan, Zhuhai; 2018 - New Haven, Wuhan. Finalist (4): 2019 - San Jose; 2018 - Lugano, Eastbourne; 2017 - Tianjin.

DOUBLES Winner (4): 2020 - Ostrava (w/Mertens); 2019 - Indian Wells, Miami, US Open (all w/Mertens); 2017 - 125/Taipei (w/Kudermetova). Finalist (1): 2018 - Lugano (w/Lapko).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (1): 2017- Mumbai. Belarusian Fed Cup Team, 2016-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Second Top-20 season (finishing No.11; won three WTA titles at Shenzhen (d. Riske in final), Wuhan (d. Riske in final) and Zhuhai (d. Bertens in final); runner-up at San Jose (l. to S.Zheng); SF twice at St. Petersburg (l. to Bertens) and Strasbourg (l. to Yastremska); QF twice at Eastbourne (l. to Bertens) and Zhengzhou (l. to Martic); reached 4r once, 3r four times (incl. Australian Open) and 2r four times (incl . Roland Garros and US Open); fell 1r seven times (incl. Wimbledon); made Top-10 debut on January 28 (after Australian Open; rose from No.11 to No. 10) and set career-high No.9 on February 4 (after St. Petersburg); won three WTA doubles titles, including maiden Grand Slam at US Open (all w/Mertens).

2018 - First Top-20 season (finishing No.11); won two WTA titles at New Haven (d. Suárez Navarro in final) and Wuhan (d. Kontaveit in final); runner-up at Lugano (l. to Mertens) and Eastbourne (l. to Wozniacki); SF at Cincinnati (l. to Halep); QF five times at Shenzhen (l. to Halep), Hobart (l. to Tsurenko), 's-Hertogenbosch (l. to Flipkens), Beijing (l. to Q.Wang) and Tianjin (l. to Bacsinszky); reached 4r at US Open, 3r twice and 2r once; fell 1r eight times (incl. other three majors) and in qualifying twice; fell in RR at WTA Elite Trophy (1-1 record); having started season at No.78, made Top 20 debut on August 27 (after New Haven; rose from No.25 to No.20) and set career-high No.11 on October 8 (after Beijing).

2017 - Enjoyed career-best season, ending year ranked No.78 for first Top 100 finish; finished runner-up at Tianjin (l. to Sharapova in final); SF at Tashkent (l. to Babos); reached 2r twice (incl. Wimbledon); played first WTA main draw at Dubai (as qualifier, l. to Bondarenko in 1r); fell in qualifying nine times; played all three ties during Belarus’ run to its first Fed Cup final.

2016 - Played first WTA qualifying at Rabat; fell in qualifying on two other occasion (incl. US Open); also won two titles on ITF Circuit.

2015 - Won three singles titles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Played one tournament on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in Belarus.

DOB Oct 24, 1996 (24)

Residence Villeneuve d'Ascq, France Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 115 Height 6' 0" (1.83 m) Singles Prize Career $1,275,458 Ranking

Prize YTD $195,996

Career High Singles Rank 46 (Jun 12 2017) 61 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 375 (Oct 23 2017) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 1

FRA WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 0 2 - 1 0- - 0 5 - 2

Grand Slam W - L 0 - 2 5 - 13 0 - 3 8 - 21

Overall W - L 4 - 6 28 - 41 25 - 12 266 - 159

3 Set W - L 1 - 3 14 - 15 11 - 4 79 - 63

1 Set W - L 3 - 1 18 - 7 21 - 2 220 - 34

Tie Break W - L 2 - 2 6 - 12 7 - 6 50 - 38

Surface (HARD) W - L 3 - 4 16 - 23 18 - 6 166 - 92

Surface (CLAY) W - L 1 - 2 6 - 14 7 - 6 50 - 43

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 0 0 - 4 0 - 0 14 - 14

Top 5 W - L 0 - 1 1 - 2 0 - 1 1 - 2

Top 10 W - L 0 - 1 1 - 5 0 - 1 1 - 5

Top 20 W - L 1 - 3 2 - 12 1 - 3 2 - 12

Top 100 W - L 3 - 5 18 - 35 3 - 5 33 - 49 vs. Left Hander W - L 0 - 1 1 - 6 2 - 1 13 - 15

2020 Events: 6 Played MATCH FACTS** **Stats are for main draw matches at WTA and Grand Slam events 2020 Matches: 10 Played (4 - 6 win-loss) only.and includes active tournament results. Fed Cup matches excluded. SERVICE RECORD YTD 2020 RETURN RECORD YTD 2020 Aces 75 1st Serve Return Points Won 27.2% Double Faults 68 2nd Serve Return Points Won 50.7% 1st Serve 54.4% Break Point Opportunities 53 1st Serve Points Won 73.1% Break Points Converted 47.2% 2nd Serve Points Won 41.4% Return Games Played 115 Break Points Faced 80 Return Games Won 21.7% Break Points Saved 60% Return Points Won 36.5% Service Games Played 117 Total Points Won 48.2% Service Games Won 72.6% Service Points Won 58.6%

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R16 Main Draw in St. Petersburg (d. Johanna Konta (GBR #14) 6-3 6-4) 14

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 28 318 436 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - - 2 2 SF - - - - - 2 2 QF - - - 1 1 4 6 Other 2 - 1 2 3 10 18

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

13 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

- W in Reims (d. Liudmila Samsonova 6-4 6-2) - W in Macon (d. Jessika Ponchet 3-6 6-1 6-3) - QF Main Draw in Cagnes-sur-mer (l. Varvara Gracheva 6-3 1-0) - QF Main Draw in Saint-malo (l. Nadia Podoroska 7-6(1) 6-3) - QF Main Draw in Lyon (l. Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2) - QF Main Draw in St. Petersburg (l. Elena Rybakina 6-7(5) 7-5 6-2) - R16 Main Draw in Palermo (l. Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-4) - R16 Main Draw in Andrezieux-boutheon (l. Anna-lena Friedsam 6-4 6-4) **R1 Main Draw in Roland Garros (l. Petra Kvitova 6-3 7-5) **R1 Main Draw in Us Open (l. Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(1) 6-4) **R1 Main Draw in New York (l. Catherine Bellis 6-2 3-6 7-6(1)) **R1 Qualifying in Prague (l. Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 6-2) **R1 Qualifying in Australian Open (l. Varvara Flink 7-6(3) 6-3)

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

2 appearances at LINZ: - QF Main Draw in 2016 (l. Madison Keys 6-3 6-3) - R1 Qualifying in 2015 (l. Paula Kania-chodun 6-3 7-6(5))

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '18 '17 '16 '15

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2 - 4 - 1R 2R 1R 2R

ROLAND GARROS 1 - 5 1R 1R 2R 1R 1R

WIMBLEDON 0 - 1 - - 1R - -

US OPEN 2 - 3 1R - 2R - 2R

TOTAL 5 - 13

OTHER INFORMATION

Currently coached by Frederic Dodin ... Is an only child ... Started playing tennis with parents ... Favorite surface is hardcourts; favorite shot is serve ... Enjoys fashion and reading fashion magazines ... Favorite players are Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (1): 2016 - Québec City.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2019 - Fel in qualifying three times (incl. Roland Garros and Wimbledon); won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2018 - Reached 2r once; fell 1r six times (Incl. Australian Open and Roland Garros) and in qualifying on four occasions (incl. Wimbledon).

2017 - Completed her second consecutive Top 100 season (No.85), reaching a career high No.46 in the week of June 12th. Registered first career win over Top 10 opponent (d. No.5 Cibulkova) in R32 Madrid. Best results included SF appearance in Washington D.C. (l. Makarova) and QF result in Budapest (l. Babos).

2016 - First Top 100 season (finishing No.69); breakthrough week in September winning first WTA title at Québec City (d. Davis in final); made Top 100 debut afterwards on September 19 (rose from No.132 to No.93); reached QF at Linz; fell 1r six times (incl. Australian Open and Roland Garros) and in qualifying eight times (incl. other two majors); won two singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2015 - Reached 2r twice (Australian Open and US Open); fell 1r four times (incl. Roland Garros) and in qualifying four times (incl. Wimbledon); won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Fell in WTA qualifying once; won four singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Fell in WTA qualifying once (Roland Garros); won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from SABALENKA: • Contesting the Upper Austria Ladies Linz as the No.1 seed • Fired 11 aces to defeat Paolini in 1r on Monday before going on to overpower Vogele in 2r, winning 75% of first service points against the Swiss • Today, faces qualifier No.115 Dodin; defeated the Frenchwoman in 1r of the 2020 US Open in their only previous meeting • Has fallen to players ranked outside Top 50 on four occasions this year, against No.66 Kr.Pliskova at Shenzhen, No.54 Suarez Navarro at Australian Open, No.53 Gauff at Lexington and No.83 Pegula at Western & Southern Open • Appearing in her sixth QF of the season (4-1 record) also reaching the final eight at Adelaide (l. Yastremska in SF), Dubai (l. eventual champion Halep in QF), Doha (d. Kvitova in F), Strasbourg (l. eventual champion Svitolina in SF) and Ostrava (d. Azarenka in F) • In 24 career QF appearances (16-8 record), has gone on to reach the final 11 times and win the title seven times – all of her titles have been won on hardcourts • Ended as World No.11 for the second straight year in 2019 after capturing three WTA singles titles at Shenzhen (d. Riske in F), Wuhan (d. Riske in F) and Zhuhai (d. Bertens in F) • Became first player to successfully defend Wuhan title (d. Kontaveit in 2018 F). Also finished runner-up in doubles with Mertens in 2019 (l. Duan/Kudermetova in F) • During summer hard court season made R-Up finish at San Jose (l. S.Zheng) • Made Top 10 debut on January 28, 2019 following 3r run at 2019 Australian Open • Captured first Grand Slam doubles trophy at US Open (w/Mertens, d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Earlier in the season, the pair claimed the ‘Sunshine Double’ by winning back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova in F) and Miami (d. Stosur/ Zhang in F) • Qualified for WTA Finals Shenzhen (w/Mertens), going 1-2 in the round robin stage • Enjoyed breakthrough season in 2018, lifting two titles, at New Haven (d. Suárez Navarro in F) and Wuhan (d. Kontaveit in F), winning 46 matches and finishing at No.11 in the rankings • Also in 2018, was R-Up at Lugano (l. Mertens) and Eastbourne (l. Wozniacki), made SF at Cincinnati, reached five QFs and produced a career-best Grand Slam run to R16 at US Open • Posted first Top 100 season finish in 2017, ending year at No.78. Season highlight was reaching first tour-level final at Tianjin (l. Sharapova) and making SF run at Tashkent (l. Babos) • Made Grand Slam main draw debut 2017 Wimbledon, falling in 2r (as qualifier, l. Witthoeft), and WTA main draw debut at 2017 Dubai (as qualifier, l. Ka.Bondarenko) • Member of Belarus Fed Cup Team that advanced to competition final in 2017 – went 1-1 in singles and 0-1 in doubles as side lost to USA • Scored first Top 20 win of career with defeat of No.13 Stephens during 2017 Fed Cup final in Minsk • Rounded out season by lifting WTA 125k Series title at Mumbai (d. Jakupovic) • Owns three WTA doubles titles – all coming alongside Mertens during 2019 season (Indian Wells, Miami and US Open) • In 2016 rose nearly 400 places in the rankings, ending year at No.155 WTA qualifying debut came at 2016 Rabat • Made debut on ITF Circuit in Minsk in 2012

DODIN: • Making second main draw appearance here in Linz (third overall) • After a quick qualifying exit in 2015, enjoyed QF run the following year in 2016 (as qualifier, l. Keys) • Similarly, has advanced through qualifying this year by defeating Jani and Andrei to reach the main draw and is the only qualifier in the final eight • Recovered from a set down to defeat No.7 seed Teichmann in 1r with a final score of 1-6 6-4 6-2 • Soared past Cirstea in straight sets to enter her third QF on the WTA Tour this season, also at St. Petersburg (l. eventual R-Up Rybakina) and Lyon (l. eventual champion Keys) • Looks to avenge 2020 US Open 1r loss against today’s opponent, top seed and World No.11 Sabalenka • A win today would see Dodin enter her first tour-level SF since 2017 Washington DC (l. Makarova) • At No.115, the Frenchwoman’s ranking has improved from No.196, recorded this time last year • Coming off 11th ITF singles title at $25K ITF/Reims-FRA (d. Samsonova in F) • In first event back since the tour resumed, came through three rounds of qualifying to reach 2r at Palermo (l. Yastremska) • Before hiatus, enjoyed QF run at Lyon (l. eventual champion Kenin) • Came through qualifying to reach St. Petersburg QF (l. eventual R-Up Rybakina) - her deepest run at a WTA event since reaching SFs at 2017 Washington DC. Overcame No.14 Konta in 2r to record second Top 20 victory of her career • Ended 2019 back inside Top 200 (at No.192, up from No.319 in 2018) after posting 48-20 record • Highlights of last year were lifting her ninth ITF Circuit singles title on home soil at $25k ITF/Cherboug-FRA (d. Tan in F) and reaching three further finals at this level. Also fell in WTA qualifying on three occasions (including Roland Garros and Wimbledon) • Advanced through qualifying at the 2018 Miami Open to defeat Cepede Royg in 1r, her sole tour-level main draw win of 2018 (l. Halep) • Posted second Top 100 season finish in 2017, reaching career high WTA singles ranking No.46 on June 12 • Highlights included SF at Washington DC (l. Makarova) and first Premier Mandatory R16 at 2017 Madrid (l. Mladenovic) • Captured maiden career title at 2016 Québec City (d. Davis in F) on ranking of No.132. Following this result, made Top 100 debut (September 19, 2016) • Québec City run formed centerpiece of 16-match win streak that began with title at $25k ITF/Barcelona-ESP and concluded with SF effort at $25k ITF/Clermont-Ferrand-FRA • Also appeared in QF at 2016 Linz (as qualifier, l. Keys) • Ended 2016 season by defeating Davis in final of $100k ITF/Poitiers-FRA – her eighth ITF Circuit singles title • Made tour-level debut in 2015 at Australian Open (as a wildcard), then reached Strasbourg main draw as a lucky loser, received another WC into Roland Garros, bowed out of the 1r at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, made 2r at US Open (defeating 2008 runner-up Jankovic) and fell 1r at Luxembourg (as qualifier) Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 EKATERINA ALEXANDROVA

DOB Nov 15, 1994 (25)

Residence Prague, Czech Republic Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 33 Height 5' 9'' (1.75M) Singles Prize Career $2,343,903 Ranking

Prize YTD $670,682

Career High Singles Rank 25 (Feb 17 2020) 22 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 89 (Feb 03 2020) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 1

RUS WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 1

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 2- - 1 79 - 23 2- - 1 1012 - 34

Grand Slam W - L 5 - 3 12 - 16 5 - 3 16 - 17

Overall W - L 19 - 12 67 - 64 19 - 12 298 - 176

3 Set W - L 6 - 3 21 - 23 6 - 3 89 - 77

1 Set W - L 16 - 3 54 - 14 16 - 3 254 - 42

Tie Break W - L 2 - 4 11 - 19 2 - 4 71 - 55

Surface (HARD) W - L 13 - 6 48 - 35 13 - 6 148 - 80

Surface (CLAY) W - L 4 - 5 10 - 19 4 - 5 115 - 75

Surface (GRASS) W - L 2 - 1 8 - 9 2 - 1 16 - 12

Top 5 W - L 0 - 1 1 - 6 0 - 1 1 - 6

Top 10 W - L 0 - 3 2 - 11 0 - 3 2 - 11

Top 20 W - L 1 - 4 5 - 16 1 - 4 5 - 16

Top 100 W - L 11 - 10 43 - 50 11 - 10 60 - 64 vs. Left Hander W - L 3 - 1 10 - 4 3 - 1 18 - 14

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R1 Main Draw in New York (d. Elena Rybakina (KAZ #17) 7-5 7-6(6)) 17

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 28 366 502 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - 1 - 1 SF - - - 1 1 - 2 QF - - - - 1 - 1 Other 8 - 4 3 7 2 24

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 3 - 4 3R 1R 2R 1R -

ROLAND GARROS 5 - 4 3R 3R 1R 2R -

WIMBLEDON 1 - 4 - 1R 1R 1R 2R

US OPEN 3 - 4 2R 2R 1R 2R -

TOTAL 12 - 16

OTHER INFORMATION

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (1): 2020 - Shenzhen. Finalist (1): 2018 - Linz.

DOUBLES Winner (1): 2019 - Budapest (w/Zvonareva).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (3): 2019 - Limoges; 2018 - Limoges; 2016 - Limoges. Russian Fed Cup Team, 2020.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2016 - Reached 2r three times (incl. at Wimbledon and on WTA main draw debut at Katowice); fell in qualifying five times; won one WTA 125K Series singles title.

2015 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Played first WTA qualifying at Bad Gastein; won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won three singles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Played first events on ITF Circuit.

DOB Nov 17, 1995 (24)

Residence Hamont-Achel, Belgium Plays Right-handed (Two-handed backhand) 21 Height 5' 10" (1.79 m) Singles Prize Career $7,066,203 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,109,558

Career High Singles Rank 12 (Nov 26 2018) 9 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Sep 09 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 5

BEL WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 10

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0 - 12

Grand Slam W - L 9 - 3 35 - 15 9 - 3 44 - 20

Overall W - L 30 - 13 146 - 85 30 - 13 314 - 172

3 Set W - L 5 - 5 40 - 31 5 - 5 74 - 56

1 Set W - L 29 - 4 134 - 19 29 - 4 284 - 34

Tie Break W - L 3 - 3 26 - 31 3 - 3 39 - 52

Surface (HARD) W - L 21 - 8 89 - 52 21 - 8 207 - 105

Surface (CLAY) W - L 9 - 4 42 - 18 9 - 4 80 - 45

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 15 - 15 0 - 1 24 - 19

Top 5 W - L 1 - 3 4 - 11 1 - 3 4 - 11

Top 10 W - L 1 - 4 7 - 19 1 - 4 7 - 19

Top 20 W - L 1 - 6 14 - 40 1 - 6 14 - 40

Top 100 W - L 23 - 11 110 - 75 23 - 11 115 - 81 vs. Left Hander W - L 2 - 0 14 - 3 2 - 0 24 - 6

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R16 Main Draw in Us Open (d. Sofia Kenin (USA #4) 6-3 6-3) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 42 424 491 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - 1 - 1 SF - - 1 - 1 - 2 QF 1 - 2 1 3 - 7 Other 11 - 8 4 7 2 32

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - R1 Qualifying in 2016 (l. Ana Bogdan 6-2 6-4)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 10 - 3 4R 3R SF - -

ROLAND GARROS 9 - 4 3R 3R 4R 3R -

WIMBLEDON 5 - 3 - 4R 3R 1R -

US OPEN 11 - 5 QF QF 4R 1R 1R

TOTAL 35 - 15

OTHER INFORMATION

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

ADDITIONAL Belgian Fed Cup Team, 2017-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2015 - Played first WTA qualifying at Antwerp; fell in qualifying on six other occasions; also won two titles on ITF Circuit. 2014 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Did not play.

2010 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from ALEXANDROVA: • Making third main draw appearance in Linz and fourth overall • Has now made SF three years in a row in each of her main draw appearances • Only former finalist remaining in the draw having reached the final in 2018 as a qualifier while ranked No.119 (l. Giorgi) • Last year as No.8 seed ranked No.35 fell at this stage to R-Up Ostapenko • Playing this week as No.4 seed, her second highest career seeding at a WTA tournament: made SF at 2019 Seoul as No.2 seed • Earned two straight sets victories over Siniakova in 1r and fellow Russian Gracheva in 2r • In QF, notched an impressive 59 minute, 6-2 6-1 victory over one of 2020’s breakout players, Podoroska • Win over Podoroska was 70th career main draw win, now owns a 70-64 career record • Faces No.21 Mertens in third SF of the season, also reached final four at Shenzhen (d. Rybakina in F) and St. Petersburg (l. eventual champion Bertens in SF) • In their only previous meeting, upset Mertens beating the Belgian 6-4 6-2 in 1r of 2019 ‘s-Hertogenbosch • Owns career 8-20 record against players in the Top 25 with 2 wins already this season over No.23 Vekic at St. Petersburg and No.17 Rybakina at the Western and Southern Open • Playing in her seventh career WTA SF, holds a 2-4 record at this stage • Hoping to make third WTA final appearance of career: in addition to finishing R-Up here in 2018, also won her first WTA title at Shenzhen earlier this year (d. Rybakina in F) • Arrives in Linz off the back of 1r exit at Ostrava (l. Kontaveit) in which she was unable to convert two match points • Made 3r run at Roland Garros, defeated Inglis and Sharma before falling to Svitolina to match best Slam result to date • Suffered 1r exit at Rome (l. Rybakina) and 2r visit in Strasbourg (l. Siniakova) • Made back-to-back 2r showings at Western & Southern Open (l. McHale) and US Open (d. Clijsters, l. McNally) • Fell 2r at Palermo (l. Ferro) and 1r at Prague (l. Tsurenko) • Opened 2020 season by winning first tour-level WTA singles title at Shenzhen (d. Rybakina in F, having dispatched seeds Wang (QF) and Muguruza (SF) along the way) • Extended winning streak to seven by advancing to 3r at Australian Open (l. Kvitova) – was seeded for the first time at a major (No.25) • One of three maiden title winners in 2020 – also Brady (Lexington) and Tig (Istanbul) • Won both singles rubbers (d. Bogdan and Ruse) as Russia beat Romania in Cluj-Napoca to reach next year’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals • In February reached maiden Premier-level SF at St. Petersburg (l. Bertens) and fell 1r at Doha (l. Anisimova); rose to career-high ranking of No.25 after St. Petersburg run (February 17, 2020) • Posted first Top 40 season finish in 2019, at No.35 (up from No.93 the year prior) • Registered 30 tour-level match wins during 2019, in which she reached SF at Budapest, Seoul and Linz and made QF at St. Petersburg, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Eastbourne and Moscow. Also advanced to 3r at a major for the first time, at Roland Garros • Made Top 50 debut after QF run at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (June 17, 2019) • Other highlights in 2019 included upset of No.5 Halep en route to R16 at Beijing – the first win of her career over a Top 5 player – and 3r showing at Roland Garros • Won first WTA doubles title at 2019 Budapest (w/Zvonareva) • Reached maiden WTA final at 2018 Linz (l. Giorgi). Other notable results in 2018 were QF run at Seoul (d. No.10 Ostapenko en route for her first career Top 10 win) and lifted WTA 125K Series title at Limoges for second time • Made Top 100 debut at No.93 after winning title at $60K ITF/Shenzhen-CHN (March 20, 2017) • Won WTA 125K Series title at Limoges in 2016 (d. Garcia in F). Also in 2016 reached 2r at Wimbledon (won her way through qualifying, on first attempt to qualify at any Slam, upsetting No.23 seed Ivanovic in 1r) • Reached 2r on WTA main draw debut at 2016 Katowice (as qualifier, l. eventual R-Up Giorgi) • Contested qualifying for the first time at a WTA-level tournament at 2014 Bad Gastein • Played first professional events of career on ITF Circuit in 2011 • Coached by Vojtech Flegl and her father, Evgeny Alexandrov, who both travel with her • Born in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and began playing tennis at age six; remembers playing on holiday at Spain. Now trains in Prague, Czech Republic • Favorite surface is hard and admires Serena Williams

MERTENS: • Making first main draw appearance in Linz having fallen in qualifying back in 2016 (l. Bogdan in 1r) • Entered this week as the WTA’s tour-leading match winner for 2020, now with 32 wins for the season • Earned her milestone 200th career main draw win with victory over qualifier Kalinina in 1r • Booked spot in QF with 3s win in 2r over 2008 runner-up Zvonareva • Has now won two or more matches at each of her last six tournaments since suffering 1r loss to No.104 Sasnovich at Palermo – the first tournament following the tour’s return • Defeat over Kudermetova in QF advanced her to third SF of the year (15th of career) - also in 2020 has reached final four at Prague (l. Halep in F) and Western and Southern Open (l. Osaka in SF) • Faces No.33 Alexandrova today with career 7-7 record in SF matches • Fell to the Russian in their only previous meeting losing 4-6 2-6 as the No.3 seed in 1r of 2019 ‘s-Hertogenbosch • Hoping to make eighth career WTA final appearance (second of the year) and win first title of the season • Coming off QF showing at Ostrava (l. Azarenka) where she also won her tenth career doubles title with partner Sabalenka • Posted 3r performance at Roland Garros (l. Garcia) and back-to-back QF runs at US Open (l. Azarenka) and Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Defeated No.4 and reigning Australian Open champion Kenin in R16 at Flushing Meadows to record her first Top 10 win of the season (7-19 career record) • Made SF at Western & Southern Open (l. Osaka) • Bounced back from Palermo result the following week at Prague, where she finished R-Up (l. Halep). Is now 5-2 in WTA singles finals • Fell 1r in the first week of the tour’s return at Palermo (l. Sasnovich) • In February made 2r exit in defense of Doha title (l. Putintseva) and also fell at this stage the previous week at Dubai (l. Sa-balenka) • Began the season with QF runs at Shenzhen (l. Rybakina) and Hobart (l. Watson – 3h 33m match is the longest so far in 2020) and R16 showing at Australian Open (l. Halep) • Ended 2019 ranked No.17 for second consecutive Top 20 finish • Singles highlight was winning biggest title of career at Doha (d. No.3 Halep in final). Also beat No.8 Bertens and No.6 Kerber in Doha, doubling career total of Top 10 wins to six • Advanced to QF at US Open for the first time (l. eventual champion Andreescu in 3s) and R16 at Wimbledon for the first time (l. Strycova, having led 6-4 5-2). Reached QF during defense of Rabat title (l. eventual champion Sakkari) • Enjoyed standout season in doubles in 2019 - won maiden major doubles title at US Open w/Sabalenka (d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Also Completed ‘Sunshine Double’ in doubles (w/Sabalenka), lifting the back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova) and Miami (d. Stosur/Zhang), and qualified for Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen (went 1-2 in RR) • Won three singles titles in 2018 (Hobart, Rabat and Lugano), one of six players on tour with three or more titles to their name that year - also Kvitova (5), Svitolina (4), Bertens (3), Halep (3) and Wozniacki (3) • Also in 2018, advanced to first Grand Slam SF of career at 2018 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) • Finished 2018 with 46 main draw match wins across the campaign – only Ka.Pliskova (49) and Kvitova (47) registered more. By contrast, prior to 2018 season owned only 36 wins at this level across entire career • Reached career-high No.12 on November 26, 2018 • In doubles in 2018, won four titles and reached QF at WTA Finals (w/Schuurs) • Finished 2017 season at No.35, up from No.120 in 2016 – first Top 50 and Top 100 year-end finish 2017 season highlighted by first career singles title at Hobart (as a qualifier, d. Niculescu in F) • Registered first Top 10 win of career over No.10 Cibulkova in 1r at 2017 Beijing • Made WTA singles main draw debut at 2016 ‘s-Hertogenbosch – made QF (as qualifier, l. Mladenovic) • Won first WTA title of any kind in doubles at 2016 Auckland (w/Mestach). Now has nine doubles titles – also 2017 Guang-zhou (w/Schuurs), 2018 Hobart (w/Schuurs), 2018 Lugano (w/Flipkens), 2018 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (w/Schuurs), 2018 Wu-han (w/Schuurs), 2019 Indian Wells-Miami double (w/Sabalenka) and 2019 US Open (w/Sabalenka) • Played first tour-level event of career at 2015 Antwerp (fell in qualifying) • Has 11 singles and 14 doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium in 2010 • Working once again with former coach Robbe Ceyssens having been coached by both David Taylor and Dieter Kindlmann • Earlier coaching history includes Belgian federation until early teens, as well as a year at the Mouratoglou Academy • Mother is Liliane Barbe (teaches languages and history); father is Guido Mertens (makes furniture for churches). Was home schooled, enjoyed studying languages • Loves animals and has lots of pets at home, four dogs and a variety of birds (pheasants, peacocks, chickens)

Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 ARYNA SABALENKA

DOB May 5, 1998 (22)

Residence Belarus Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 11 Height 5' 11" (1.82 m) Singles Prize Career $6,779,310 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,214,684

Career High Singles Rank 9 (Feb 04 2019) 8 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Oct 21 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 2 / 7

BLR WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 4

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1

Grand Slam W - L 3 - 3 11 - 12 3 - 3 16 - 16

Overall W - L 24 - 11 121 - 63 24 - 11 225 - 122

3 Set W - L 10 - 6 46 - 26 10 - 6 76 - 57

1 Set W - L 17 - 2 98 - 11 17 - 2 186 - 27

Tie Break W - L 5 - 8 25 - 26 5 - 8 49 - 47

Surface (HARD) W - L 18 - 7 96 - 40 18 - 7 172 - 77

Surface (CLAY) W - L 6 - 3 15 - 13 6 - 3 32 - 32

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 10 - 10 0 - 1 16 - 12

Top 5 W - L 1 - 2 5 - 6 1 - 2 5 - 6

Top 10 W - L 1 - 3 12 - 13 1 - 3 12 - 13

Top 20 W - L 4 - 3 25 - 18 4 - 3 25 - 18

Top 100 W - L 20 - 10 102 - 55 20 - 10 104 - 60 vs. Left Hander W - L 4 - 1 10 - 8 4 - 1 17 - 10

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) QF Main Draw in Adelaide (d. Simona Halep (ROU #4) 6-4 6-2) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 34 290 344 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - 1 1 - - 2 SF - - 1 2 1 - 4 QF - - 1 3 1 - 5 Other 6 - 4 5 6 2 23

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

11 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

Player has never previously played at this tournament.

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2 - 3 1R 3R 1R -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 3 3R 2R 1R -

WIMBLEDON 1 - 3 - 1R 1R 2R

US OPEN 5 - 3 2R 2R 4R -

TOTAL 11 - 12

OTHER INFORMATION

Facebook - sabalenkatennis Twitter - @SabalenkaA Instagram - sabalenka_aryna

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (7): 2020 - Doha, Ostrava; 2019 - Shenzhen, Wuhan, Zhuhai; 2018 - New Haven, Wuhan. Finalist (4): 2019 - San Jose; 2018 - Lugano, Eastbourne; 2017 - Tianjin.

DOUBLES Winner (4): 2020 - Ostrava (w/Mertens); 2019 - Indian Wells, Miami, US Open (all w/Mertens); 2017 - 125/Taipei (w/Kudermetova). Finalist (1): 2018 - Lugano (w/Lapko).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (1): 2017- Mumbai. Belarusian Fed Cup Team, 2016-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2016 - Played first WTA qualifying at Rabat; fell in qualifying on two other occasion (incl. US Open); also won two titles on ITF Circuit.

2015 - Won three singles titles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Played one tournament on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in Belarus.

DOB Dec 18, 1995 (24)

Residence Ivancice, Czech Republic Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 74 Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Singles Prize Career $2,958,976 Ranking

Prize YTD $583,012

Career High Singles Rank 74 (Oct 26 2020) 56 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 1 (Oct 22 2018) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 0

CZE WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 6

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 0 0- - 0 0- - 0 1 - 1

Grand Slam W - L 4 - 2 4 - 3 7 - 2 22 - 18

Overall W - L 6 - 4 17 - 19 17 - 8 263 - 152

3 Set W - L 3 - 3 7 - 11 4 - 4 57 - 57

1 Set W - L 5 - 3 13 - 8 16 - 4 233 - 33

Tie Break W - L 1 - 0 2 - 1 1 - 1 34 - 46

Surface (HARD) W - L 2 - 2 4 - 5 8 - 4 63 - 60

Surface (CLAY) W - L 4 - 2 12 - 10 9 - 4 193 - 83

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 1 - 4

Top 5 W - L 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 1 0 - 2

Top 10 W - L 0 - 1 0 - 4 0 - 1 0 - 4

Top 20 W - L 0 - 2 0 - 7 0 - 2 0 - 7

Top 100 W - L 3 - 3 8 - 12 3 - 3 13 - 20 vs. Left Hander W - L 0 - 0 0 - 0 2 - 0 10 - 2

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R2 Main Draw in Roland Garros (d. Barbora Strycova (CZE #37) 6-4 3-6 6-3) 37

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 17 294 432 GS PM P5 P IS Other F ------SF ------QF - - - 0 0 2 2 Other 6 - - 2 2 5 15

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

8 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - R16 Qualifying in 2017 (l. Naomi Broady 6-4 6-1)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '18

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 1 - 1 2R -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 2 4R 1R

WIMBLEDON - - -

US OPEN - - -

TOTAL 4 - 3

OTHER INFORMATION

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Finalist (1): 2017 - Nürnberg

MIXED DOUBLES Winner (2): 2020 - Australian Open (w/Mektic); 2019 - Australian Open (w/Ram).

ADDITIONAL Czech Fed Cup Team, 2019.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2016 - Reached 2r twice; fell 1r three times and in qualifying three times (incl. Australian Open and Wimbledon).

2015 - Fell 1r once and in qualifying 10 times (incl. all four majors); won one WTA doubles title; won one WTA 125K Series doubles title; won one singles title and four doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Reached 2r once; fell in qualifying twice (incl. US Open); won three singles titles and three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won four singles titles and six doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Won one singles title and three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Won two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.

2010 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from SABALENKA: • Contesting the Upper Austria Ladies Linz as the No.1 seed this week • Has been seeded at the top of the draw on two other occasions: 2018 Quebec City (l. Lepchenko in 1r) and 2019 Shenzhen (won title, d. Riske in F) • Currently on a 7-match win streak following her title run in Ostrava (d. Azarenka in F) • Fired 11 aces to defeat Paolini in 1r on Monday before going on to overpower Vogele in 2r, winning 75% of first service points against the Swiss • In QF, advanced after qualifier Dodin retired with a right ankle injury in the second set; Sabalenka was up 6-3 3-3 • Faces No.74 Krejcikova hoping to reach third WTA final of the year (12th of career) • Has fallen to players ranked outside Top 50 on four occasions this year, against No.66 Kr.Pliskova at Shenzhen, No.54 Suarez Navarro at Australian Open, No.53 Gauff at Lexington and No.83 Pegula at Western & Southern Open • Owns 2-2 record in SF this year reaching the final four at Adelaide (l. Yastremska in SF), Doha (d. Kvitova in F), Strasbourg (l. eventual champion Svitolina in SF) and Ostrava (d. Azarenka in F) • In 17 career SF appearances (11-6 record), has gone on to reach the final 11 times and win the title seven times – all of her titles have been won on hardcourts • Coming off seventh career title run at Ostrava with impressive wins over Gauff, Sorribes Tormo, Brady and Azarenka; also won fifth career doubles title with partner Mertens – first time winning singles and doubles title at same tournament • Posted 3r showing at Roland Garros (l. Jabeur) ad SF at Strasbourg (l. eventual champion Svitolina) • In first play back from hiatus, fell R16 at Lexington (l. Gauff) and Western and Southern Open (l. Pegula) and 2r at US Open (l. Azarenka) • In last tournament before the pause, won sixth career at Doha with all five match wins coming over players in the Top 50 (d. Kvitova in F) • Reached QF at Dubai (l. eventual champion Halep) after going 1-1 in Fed Cup singles action against the Netherlands (d. Rus, l. Bertens) • Began 2020 season with 2r at Shenzhen (l. Kr.Pliskova), SF at Adelaide (l. Yastremska) and a shocking 1r exit at Australian Open (l. Suarez Navarro) • Ended as World No.11 for the second straight year in 2019 after capturing three WTA singles titles at Shenzhen (d. Riske in F), Wuhan (d. Riske in F) and Zhuhai (d. Bertens in F) • Became first player to successfully defend Wuhan title (d. Kontaveit in 2018 F). Also finished runner-up in doubles with Mertens in 2019 (l. Duan/Kudermetova in F) • During summer hard court season made R-Up finish at San Jose (l. S.Zheng) • Made Top 10 debut on January 28, 2019 following 3r run at 2019 Australian Open • Captured first Grand Slam doubles trophy at US Open (w/Mertens, d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Earlier in the season, the pair claimed the ‘Sunshine Double’ by winning back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova in F) and Miami (d. Stosur/ Zhang in F) • Qualified for WTA Finals Shenzhen (w/Mertens), going 1-2 in the round robin stage • Enjoyed breakthrough season in 2018, lifting two titles, at New Haven (d. Suárez Navarro in F) and Wuhan (d. Kontaveit in F), winning 46 matches and finishing at No.11 in the rankings • Also in 2018, was R-Up at Lugano (l. Mertens) and Eastbourne (l. Wozniacki), made SF at Cincinnati, reached five QFs and produced a career-best Grand Slam run to R16 at US Open • Posted first Top 100 season finish in 2017, ending year at No.78. Season highlight was reaching first tour-level final at Tianjin (l. Sharapova) and making SF run at Tashkent (l. Babos) • Made Grand Slam main draw debut 2017 Wimbledon, falling in 2r (as qualifier, l. Witthoeft), and WTA main draw debut at 2017 Dubai (as qualifier, l. Ka.Bondarenko) • Member of Belarus Fed Cup Team that advanced to competition final in 2017 – went 1-1 in singles and 0-1 in doubles as side lost to USA • Scored first Top 20 win of career with defeat of No.13 Stephens during 2017 Fed Cup final in Minsk • Rounded out season by lifting WTA 125k Series title at Mumbai (d. Jakupovic) • Owns three WTA doubles titles – all coming alongside Mertens during 2019 season (Indian Wells, Miami and US Open) • In 2016 rose nearly 400 places in the rankings, ending year at No.155 WTA qualifying debut came at 2016 Rabat • Made debut on ITF Circuit in Minsk in 2012

KREJCIKOVA: • Making main draw debut here at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz • Fell during qualifying in 2017, her only other appearance at this event • In the first two rounds, spent nearly five hours on court (4h57) having been pushed to three sets by both Tan and Minnen • Enjoyed first straight sets victory of the week in QF over Sasnovich to book second SF appearance of her career (1-0 record) • Squares off against No.11 Sabalenka today looking for second career WTA final appearance – finished R-Up at 2017 Nurnberg (l. Bertens) • Looking for first win over a Top 20 ranked opponent (0-7 record), highest win by ranking was over No.32 Siegemund en route to final at 2017 Nurnberg (Siegemund retired in second set); best complete match win by ranking came over No.37 Strycova at Roland Garros this year • Also looking for first career win over a No.1 see with 0-4 record • Currently playing on a career-high singles ranking of No.74, achieved on October 26, 2020 after advancing through qualifying to reach R16 at Ostrava (l. eventual R-Up Azarenka) • Also enjoyed a Grand Slam breakthrough in Paris where she reached R16 at a major for the first time in her career defeating No.91 Stojanovic, No.37 Strycova and WC Pironkova en route (l. Podoroska) • Before hiatus, had mostly played on ITF circuit however did come through qualifying to reach 2r at Australian Open (l. Alexandrova) • In 2019, had best singles season to date, finishing at No.115. Advanced to QF at Bucharest in addition to winning four ITF singles titles on clay in North America and Europe, tallying 20 wins from 21 matches • Also in 2019, posted second Top 20 doubles season highlighted by titles at Toronto and Linz, and R-Up finish at Indian Wells (all w/Siniakova). Won Australian Open mixed doubles title w/Ram • In 2018, won first Grand Slam doubles titles of career, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and reached title match at WTA Finals (all w/Siniakova) • Owns six doubles titles, at 2020 Shenzhen (w/Siniakova), 2019 Toronto and Linz (both w/Siniakova), 2018 Roland Garros and Wimbledon (both w/Siniakova) and 2015 Québec City (w/Mestach). Has been doubles R-Up on eight occasions. • Achieved doubles career-high ranking of World No.1 on October 22, 2018 • Posted year-end finish of No.126 in 2017 (up from No.250 in 2016) • Highlight was R-Up finish in first WTA singles final at Nürnberg (l. Bertens in F). Also made QF as qualifier at Bastad (l. Garcia). Only other tour-level appearances were 1r exits at Bucharest and Québec City • Contested five WTA main draws in 2016, progressing to 2r at two events: Kuala Lumpur and Prague • Reached 2r on WTA debut as qualifier at 2014 Québec City (l. Hradecka) • On ITF Circuit, owns 14 singles and 19 doubles titles • Made professional debut at $10K ITF/Piestany-SVK in 2010

Player Profile & Performance - LINZ LINZ, AUSTRIA NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2020 | USD $225,500 INTERNATIONAL All data as at Monday, 09 Nov 2020 ARYNA SABALENKA

DOB May 5, 1998 (22)

Residence Belarus Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 11 Height 5' 11" (1.82 m) Singles Prize Career $6,779,310 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,214,684

Career High Singles Rank 9 (Feb 04 2019) 8 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Oct 21 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 2 / 7

BLR WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 4

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1

Grand Slam W - L 3 - 3 11 - 12 3 - 3 16 - 16

Overall W - L 24 - 11 121 - 63 24 - 11 225 - 122

3 Set W - L 10 - 6 46 - 26 10 - 6 76 - 57

1 Set W - L 17 - 2 98 - 11 17 - 2 186 - 27

Tie Break W - L 5 - 8 25 - 26 5 - 8 49 - 47

Surface (HARD) W - L 18 - 7 96 - 40 18 - 7 172 - 77

Surface (CLAY) W - L 6 - 3 15 - 13 6 - 3 32 - 32

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 10 - 10 0 - 1 16 - 12

Top 5 W - L 1 - 2 5 - 6 1 - 2 5 - 6

Top 10 W - L 1 - 3 12 - 13 1 - 3 12 - 13

Top 20 W - L 4 - 3 25 - 18 4 - 3 25 - 18

Top 100 W - L 20 - 10 102 - 55 20 - 10 104 - 60 vs. Left Hander W - L 4 - 1 10 - 8 4 - 1 17 - 10

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) QF Main Draw in Adelaide (d. Simona Halep (ROU #4) 6-4 6-2) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 34 290 344 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - 1 1 - - 2 SF - - 1 2 1 - 4 QF - - 1 3 1 - 5 Other 6 - 4 5 6 2 23

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

11 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

Player has never previously played at this tournament.

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2 - 3 1R 3R 1R -

ROLAND GARROS 3 - 3 3R 2R 1R -

WIMBLEDON 1 - 3 - 1R 1R 2R

US OPEN 5 - 3 2R 2R 4R -

TOTAL 11 - 12

OTHER INFORMATION

Facebook - sabalenkatennis Twitter - @SabalenkaA Instagram - sabalenka_aryna

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SINGLES Winner (7): 2020 - Doha, Ostrava; 2019 - Shenzhen, Wuhan, Zhuhai; 2018 - New Haven, Wuhan. Finalist (4): 2019 - San Jose; 2018 - Lugano, Eastbourne; 2017 - Tianjin.

DOUBLES Winner (4): 2020 - Ostrava (w/Mertens); 2019 - Indian Wells, Miami, US Open (all w/Mertens); 2017 - 125/Taipei (w/Kudermetova). Finalist (1): 2018 - Lugano (w/Lapko).

ADDITIONAL WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles (1): 2017- Mumbai. Belarusian Fed Cup Team, 2016-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2016 - Played first WTA qualifying at Rabat; fell in qualifying on two other occasion (incl. US Open); also won two titles on ITF Circuit.

2015 - Won three singles titles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2014 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Played one tournament on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in Belarus.

DOB Nov 17, 1995 (24)

Residence Hamont-Achel, Belgium Plays Right-handed (Two-handed backhand) 21 Height 5' 10" (1.79 m) Singles Prize Career $7,066,203 Ranking

Prize YTD $1,109,558

Career High Singles Rank 12 (Nov 26 2018) 9 Porsche Race Career High Doubles Rank 2 (Sep 09 2019) To Shenzhen WTA Singles Titles - YTD / Career 0 / 5

BEL WTA Doubles Titles - YTD / Career 1 / 10

PERFORMANCE - SINGLES* *Stats include active tournament results STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL YTD (2020) ALL CAREER

Tournament (LINZ) W - L 0- - 1 0- - 1 0- - 1 0 - 12

Grand Slam W - L 9 - 3 35 - 15 9 - 3 44 - 20

Overall W - L 30 - 13 146 - 85 30 - 13 314 - 172

3 Set W - L 5 - 5 40 - 31 5 - 5 74 - 56

1 Set W - L 29 - 4 134 - 19 29 - 4 284 - 34

Tie Break W - L 3 - 3 26 - 31 3 - 3 39 - 52

Surface (HARD) W - L 21 - 8 89 - 52 21 - 8 207 - 105

Surface (CLAY) W - L 9 - 4 42 - 18 9 - 4 80 - 45

Surface (GRASS) W - L 0 - 1 15 - 15 0 - 1 24 - 19

Top 5 W - L 1 - 3 4 - 11 1 - 3 4 - 11

Top 10 W - L 1 - 4 7 - 19 1 - 4 7 - 19

Top 20 W - L 1 - 6 14 - 40 1 - 6 14 - 40

Top 100 W - L 23 - 11 110 - 75 23 - 11 115 - 81 vs. Left Hander W - L 2 - 0 14 - 3 2 - 0 24 - 6

TOURNAMENT HISTORY - SINGLES

BEST WIN OF THE SEASON (win against highest ranked Opponent) R16 Main Draw in Us Open (d. Sofia Kenin (USA #4) 6-3 6-3) 4

STATS MD YTD (2020) MD CAREER ALL CAREER # of Match Appearances 42 424 491 GS PM P5 P IS Other F - - - - 1 - 1 SF - - 1 - 1 - 2 QF 1 - 2 1 3 - 7 Other 11 - 8 4 7 2 32

GS=Grand Slams PM=Premier Mandatory P5=Premier 5 P=Premier IS=International Other=Fed Cup, WTA Finals, Tournament of Champs

2020 Season Summary

12 tournaments in 2020: ** indicates opening match at tournament

Best Previous Results (LINZ)

1 appearance at LINZ: - R1 Qualifying in 2016 (l. Ana Bogdan 6-2 6-4)

GRAND SLAM

W / L '20 '19 '18 '17 '16

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 10 - 3 4R 3R SF - -

ROLAND GARROS 9 - 4 3R 3R 4R 3R -

WIMBLEDON 5 - 3 - 4R 3R 1R -

US OPEN 11 - 5 QF QF 4R 1R 1R

TOTAL 35 - 15

OTHER INFORMATION

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

ADDITIONAL Belgian Fed Cup Team, 2017-20.

CAREER IN REVIEW

2015 - Played first WTA qualifying at Antwerp; fell in qualifying on six other occasions; also won two titles on ITF Circuit. 2014 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2013 - Won four titles on ITF Circuit.

2012 - Played on ITF Circuit.

2011 - Did not play.

2010 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium.

Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA Insights from SABALENKA: • Contesting the Upper Austria Ladies Linz as the No.1 seed this week • Has been seeded at the top of the draw on two other occasions: 2018 Quebec City (l. Lepchenko in 1r) and 2019 Shenzhen (won title, d. Riske in F) • Currently on an 8-match win streak following her title run in Ostrava (d. Azarenka in F) • Fired 11 aces to defeat Paolini in 1r on Monday before going on to overpower Vogele in 2r, winning 75% of first service points against the Swiss • In QF, advanced after qualifier Dodin retired with a right ankle injury in the second set; Sabalenka was up 6-3 3-3 • Extinguished a surging Krejcikova in 3s battle to reach third WTA final of the year (12th of career) and secure a year-end Top 10 spot • In today’s championship match, faces No.2 seed and longtime doubles partner Mertens for a chance to secure her third title of the season (eighth overall) • Has competed against Mertens on five previous occasions and enters today’s match with a 3-2 advantage; won their two most recent encounters at 2020 Dubai and 2019 Zhuhai • Owns 2-0 record in finals this year, lifting silverware in Doha (d. Kvitova in F) and Ostrava (d. Azarenka in F) • In 11 career final appearances, has gone on to lift the title seven times – all of her titles have been won on hardcourts • Coming off seventh career title run at Ostrava with impressive wins over Gauff, Sorribes Tormo, Brady and Azarenka; also won fifth career doubles title with partner Mertens – first time winning singles and doubles title at same tournament • Posted 3r showing at Roland Garros (l. Jabeur) ad SF at Strasbourg (l. eventual champion Svitolina) • In first play back from hiatus, fell R16 at Lexington (l. Gauff) and Western and Southern Open (l. Pegula) and 2r at US Open (l. Azarenka) • In last tournament before the pause, won sixth career at Doha with all five match wins coming over players in the Top 50 (d. Kvitova in F) • Reached QF at Dubai (l. eventual champion Halep) after going 1-1 in Fed Cup singles action against the Netherlands (d. Rus, l. Bertens) • Began 2020 season with 2r at Shenzhen (l. Kr.Pliskova), SF at Adelaide (l. Yastremska) and a shocking 1r exit at Australian Open (l. Suarez Navarro) • Ended as World No.11 for the second straight year in 2019 after capturing three WTA singles titles at Shenzhen (d. Riske in F), Wuhan (d. Riske in F) and Zhuhai (d. Bertens in F) • Became first player to successfully defend Wuhan title (d. Kontaveit in 2018 F). Also finished runner-up in doubles with Mertens in 2019 (l. Duan/Kudermetova in F) • During summer hard court season made R-Up finish at San Jose (l. S.Zheng) • Made Top 10 debut on January 28, 2019 following 3r run at 2019 Australian Open • Captured first Grand Slam doubles trophy at US Open (w/Mertens, d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Earlier in the season, the pair claimed the ‘Sunshine Double’ by winning back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova in F) and Miami (d. Stosur/ Zhang in F) • Qualified for WTA Finals Shenzhen (w/Mertens), going 1-2 in the round robin stage • Enjoyed breakthrough season in 2018, lifting two titles, at New Haven (d. Suárez Navarro in F) and Wuhan (d. Kontaveit in F), winning 46 matches and finishing at No.11 in the rankings • Also in 2018, was R-Up at Lugano (l. Mertens) and Eastbourne (l. Wozniacki), made SF at Cincinnati, reached five QFs and produced a career-best Grand Slam run to R16 at US Open • Posted first Top 100 season finish in 2017, ending year at No.78. Season highlight was reaching first tour-level final at Tianjin (l. Sharapova) and making SF run at Tashkent (l. Babos) • Made Grand Slam main draw debut 2017 Wimbledon, falling in 2r (as qualifier, l. Witthoeft), and WTA main draw debut at 2017 Dubai (as qualifier, l. Ka.Bondarenko) • Member of Belarus Fed Cup Team that advanced to competition final in 2017 – went 1-1 in singles and 0-1 in doubles as side lost to USA • Scored first Top 20 win of career with defeat of No.13 Stephens during 2017 Fed Cup final in Minsk • Rounded out season by lifting WTA 125k Series title at Mumbai (d. Jakupovic) • Owns three WTA doubles titles – all coming alongside Mertens during 2019 season (Indian Wells, Miami and US Open) • In 2016 rose nearly 400 places in the rankings, ending year at No.155 WTA qualifying debut came at 2016 Rabat • Made debut on ITF Circuit in Minsk in 2012

MERTENS: • Making first main draw appearance in Linz having fallen in qualifying back in 2016 (l. Bogdan in 1r) • Entered this week as the WTA’s tour-leading match winner for 2020, now with 33 wins for the season • Earned her milestone 200th career main draw win with victory over qualifier Kalinina in 1r • Booked spot in QF with 3s win in 2r over 2008 runner-up Zvonareva • Has now won two or more matches at each of her last six tournaments since suffering 1r loss to No.104 Sasnovich at Palermo – the first tournament following the tour’s return • Defeat over Kudermetova in QF saw he advanced her to third SF of the year (15th of career) - also in 2020 has reached final four at Prague (l. Halep in F) and Western and Southern Open (l. Osaka in SF) • Rallied from a set down to defeat 2018 Linz R-Up, No.33 Alexandrova, and earn a spot in her eighth career WTA final (second of the year) where she bids to win her first title of the season and sixth overall • In a much-anticipated battle, will face longtime doubles partner and top seed Sabalenka in today’s final match • Currently owns 2-3 record against the Belarusian with sole victories coming during R16 at 2018 Montreal and during the final match of 2018 Lugano where the Belgian lifted the crown • The duo have lifted four doubles titles together - 2020 Ostrava, 2019 Indian Wells, 2019 Miami and 2019 US Open • Coming off QF showing at Ostrava (l. Azarenka) where she also won her tenth career doubles title with partner Sabalenka • Posted 3r performance at Roland Garros (l. Garcia) and back-to-back QF runs at US Open (l. Azarenka) and Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Defeated No.4 and reigning Australian Open champion Kenin in R16 at Flushing Meadows to record her first Top 10 win of the season (7-19 career record) • Made SF at Western & Southern Open (l. Osaka) • Bounced back from Palermo result the following week at Prague, where she finished R-Up (l. Halep). Is now 5-2 in WTA singles finals • Fell 1r in the first week of the tour’s return at Palermo (l. Sasnovich) • In February made 2r exit in defense of Doha title (l. Putintseva) and also fell at this stage the previous week at Dubai (l. Sa-balenka) • Began the season with QF runs at Shenzhen (l. Rybakina) and Hobart (l. Watson – 3h 33m match is the longest so far in 2020) and R16 showing at Australian Open (l. Halep) • Ended 2019 ranked No.17 for second consecutive Top 20 finish • Singles highlight was winning biggest title of career at Doha (d. No.3 Halep in final). Also beat No.8 Bertens and No.6 Kerber in Doha, doubling career total of Top 10 wins to six • Advanced to QF at US Open for the first time (l. eventual champion Andreescu in 3s) and R16 at Wimbledon for the first time (l. Strycova, having led 6-4 5-2). Reached QF during defense of Rabat title (l. eventual champion Sakkari) • Enjoyed standout season in doubles in 2019 - won maiden major doubles title at US Open w/Sabalenka (d. Azarenka/Barty in F). Also Completed ‘Sunshine Double’ in doubles (w/Sabalenka), lifting the back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova) and Miami (d. Stosur/Zhang), and qualified for Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen (went 1-2 in RR) • Won three singles titles in 2018 (Hobart, Rabat and Lugano), one of six players on tour with three or more titles to their name that year - also Kvitova (5), Svitolina (4), Bertens (3), Halep (3) and Wozniacki (3) • Also in 2018, advanced to first Grand Slam SF of career at 2018 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) • Finished 2018 with 46 main draw match wins across the campaign – only Ka.Pliskova (49) and Kvitova (47) registered more. By contrast, prior to 2018 season owned only 36 wins at this level across entire career • Reached career-high No.12 on November 26, 2018 • In doubles in 2018, won four titles and reached QF at WTA Finals (w/Schuurs) • Finished 2017 season at No.35, up from No.120 in 2016 – first Top 50 and Top 100 year-end finish 2017 season highlighted by first career singles title at Hobart (as a qualifier, d. Niculescu in F) • Registered first Top 10 win of career over No.10 Cibulkova in 1r at 2017 Beijing • Made WTA singles main draw debut at 2016 ‘s-Hertogenbosch – made QF (as qualifier, l. Mladenovic) • Won first WTA title of any kind in doubles at 2016 Auckland (w/Mestach). Now has nine doubles titles – also 2017 Guang-zhou (w/Schuurs), 2018 Hobart (w/Schuurs), 2018 Lugano (w/Flipkens), 2018 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (w/Schuurs), 2018 Wu-han (w/Schuurs), 2019 Indian Wells-Miami double (w/Sabalenka) and 2019 US Open (w/Sabalenka) • Played first tour-level event of career at 2015 Antwerp (fell in qualifying) • Has 11 singles and 14 doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium in 2010 • Working once again with former coach Robbe Ceyssens having been coached by both David Taylor and Dieter Kindlmann • Earlier coaching history includes Belgian federation until early teens, as well as a year at the Mouratoglou Academy • Mother is Liliane Barbe (teaches languages and history); father is Guido Mertens (makes furniture for churches). Was home schooled, enjoyed studying languages • Loves animals and has lots of pets at home, four dogs and a variety of birds (pheasants, peacocks, chickens)