So far Laaksonen had a very solid year, posting some decent results, but generally falling short near the finish line. Laaksonen’s best performance was a semifinal spot at Roland Garros, where he lost to eventual winner Daniel Berta. In Linz Laaksonen was at his very best, however, not dropping a single set en-route to the final. Croatian Toni Androic proved to be somewhat problematic by forcing a tie-break in the second set of their match, but Laaksonen easily disposed of his opponent during the tie-break: 7-1. Surprising finalist Mick Lescure of France also provided a challenge in the first set against Laaksonen, also managing to edge to a tie-break. Laaksonen was again dominant when it really mattered, cruising through the tie-break at 7-3. In the second set the Finn confidently made his way to his first Grade 1 trophy, finishing the match 6-3. This title helps boost Laaksonen’s confidence and ranking considerably, moving him into the top 25. Losing finalist Mick Lescure also makes a significant jump in rankings, rising from 123rd to inside the top 90.

Yulia Putintseva, at 14 years of age, continues to conquer all age barriers with already her second Grade 1 title this year. At the start of the year the Russian youngster only had 10 points, but significantly boosted that total this year. Again in this tournament Putintseva showed some dominant tennis, suffering only one slight hick up in her third round match against compatriot Polina Rodionova. After losing the first set Putintseva put Rodionova out of the running with a double bagel. During the quarters and semifinals she lost only a total of 7 games. Ukrainian first time finalist Elina Svitolina managed to equal that total, losing 6-3 6-4 to a confident and dominating Putintseva. With this title Putintseva boost her rankings significantly once again, from 50th position straight into the top 25. Svitolina moves from 98th to just outside the top 60.

Quarterfinal boys results Linz:

Peter Heller (GER) d. Lukas Vrnak (CZE) 7-5 4-6 6-1
Henri Laaksonen (FIN,3) d. Toni Androic (CRO) 6-4 7-6(1)
Christian Lindell (SWE,14) d. Marton Fucsovics (HUN,8) 5-7 6-4 6-3
Mick Lescure (FRA) d. Jozef Kovalik (SVK,5) 6-3 4-6 6-3

Semifinal boys results Linz:

Henri Laaksonen (FIN,3) d. Peter Heller (GER) 6-4 6-4
Mick Lescure (FRA) d. Christian Lindell (SWE,14) 7-6 2-0 ret.

Final boys result Linz:

Henri Laaksonen (FIN,3) d. Mick Lescure (FRA) 7-6(3) 6-3

Profile Henri Laaksonen:

Birthdate: 31-03-1992
Birthplace: Lohja, Finland
Residence: Hyvinkää, Finland
Plays: Right handed (two-handed backhand)
Favourite surface: Hard
Age started tennis: 3
Junior titles:  5 (2007: Kenana Cup (Grade 5), Plovdiv Cup (Grade 4), Renka Junior Open (Grade 5), TaTS Open (Grade 4); 2009: Linz (Grade 1))
Career high position (before Linz): 32 (15 June 2009)
Career high ATP ranking: 1293 (13 July 2009)

Quarterfinal girls results Linz:

Jana Cepelova (SVK,1) d. Sophia Kovalets (UKR,12) 6-3 3-6 4-1 ret.
Elina Svitolina (UKR,9) d. Noel Scott (USA) 3-6 7-6(7) 6-3
Yulia Putintseva (RUS,6) d. Nataliya Pintusova (BLR,3) 6-1 6-2
Polina Leykina (RUS,2) d. Annika Beck (GER,8) 6-3 6-0

Semifinal girls results Linz:

Elina Svitolina (UKR,9) d. Jana Cepelova (SVK,1) 6-4 7-5
Yulia Putintseva (RUS,6) d. Polina Leykina (RUS,2) 6-4 6-0

Final girls result Linz:

Yulia Putintseva (RUS,6) d. Elina Svitolina (UKR,9) 6-3 6-4

Profile Yulia Putintseva:

Birthdate: 07-01-1995
Birthplace: Russia
Residence: Russia
Plays: Right handed (two-handed backhand)
Favourite surface: --
Age started tennis: --
Junior titles:  3 (2009: Citta di Prato (Grade 2), Citta di Santa Croce (Grade 1), Linz (Grade 1))
Career high position (before Linz): 50 (13 July 2009)
Career high WTA ranking: --