Brilliant Ostapenko stuns Sabalenka to win Stuttgart title
The Latvian followed up her win over Iga Swiatek in the quarters to claim her second clay-court title, after the 2017 French Open
© Imago / Psnewz
Latvian Jelena Ostapenko completed one of the best weeks of her career as she won the Stuttgart Open title on Monday, beating world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the final at the Porsche-Arena on Monday.
Ostapenko, who beat world No 2 Iga Swiatek (for the sixth time in six meetings) in the quarter-finals, wrapped up the match in less than 90 minutes on the back of four aces and six break-point conversions. She won eight of the last 10 points of the match, finishing with a flashing forehand return winner.
It is the Latvian’s ninth title on the WTA Tour and first on clay since the 2017 French Open.
“Thanks to my team for always supporting me in good and bad days,” Ostapenko said in her victory speech. “It’s not always easy with me but thank you so much for being by my side. I hope to be back next year and I’m just really happy today.”
Set 1: Sabalenka saves two set points in vain
The match opened with an electrifying start from Ostapenko as she broke Sabalenka in the very first game.
The two then held serve until the Belarusian broke back in the eighth game. The eventual champion, however, responded immediately and converted another break point to restore her lead.
She then served it out after Sabalenka saved two set points on return.
Set 2: Sabalenka fails to hold serve
Sabalenka’s serving efficiency dropped drastically in the second set as she failed to win a single game on her serve.
As in the first set, the second began with Ostapenko breaking the world No 1 in the opening game but was broken back immediately. But the Latvian didn’t drop a game afterwards, storming away to become a Stuttgart champion for the first time in her career.
In the previous rounds of the Stuttgart tournament, Ostapenko, ranked No 24, defeated Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska (6-3, 3-0 ret.), American Emma Navarro, the No 7 seed (7-5, 3-6, 6-2), Pole Iga Swiatek, the second seed (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) and Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-4, 6-4).
Sabalenka, ranked No 1, defeated Russian Anastasia Potapova (W/O), Belgian Elise Mertens (6-4, 6-1) and Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 5 seed (7-5, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.
