Gauff ahead of the final in Linz: "This has been an unreal tournament"

The 15-year-old American talent Coco Gauff started in Linz in qualifying, where she lost to Tamara Korpatsch. But following the withdrawal of Maria Sakkari, she got into the tournament as a lucky loser. Now she managed to reach the finals and spoke about her feelings.

"This definitely has been an unreal tournament," an excited Gauff told the press, after her win. "My first final, a lot of firsts for me here, so I hope I can keep this going. I guess Linz is my special place, giving me a lot of luck and a lot of happiness here."

"This is actually the first time in my life, including juniors, that I got into something as a lucky loser, and now I’m in the final," said Gauff. "I guess every little thing counts. You never know what it could lead to."

Gauff also spoke about the progress she made the previous year and also the confidence she earned in Austria.

"Last year around this time I was playing a juniors Grade 1 [tournament], and I lost in the quarterfinals there, in Mexico," Gauff added. "It’s crazy how much a year can make a difference in improvement."

"Maybe after these [earlier] matches, they boosted my confidence a lot," the young American added. "It kind of showed I can play at this top level, and hang with these top players."

Gauff's rival in final Jelena Ostapenko lost the first set at the tournament in semifinals. She is playing also perfect tennis in Linz and spoke about her feelings as well as her opponent ahead of the final.

"It’s great to make the final," Ostapenko told the press, following her win. "Of course, I came here without any expectations, just to win as many matches as I can, because I didn’t play so well this year. To be in the final, at one of the last tournaments of the season, it’s great. It’s great to finish the season this way."

"[Gauff is] a great player, she’s very young, and it’s going to be a good final," said Ostapenko. "It’s going to be a tough match, but I’m just going to focus more on myself and just enjoy it."