Unseeded Jelena Ostapenko surprised world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight units to seize the Porsche Grand Prix title on Monday, sealing one of many largest upsets of the clay-court season.
The Latvian powered previous the highest seed 6-4, 6-1 in Stuttgart, breaking Sabalenka’s serve twice in a fiercely contested opening set that lasted slightly below an hour. She then raced by the second set in simply 28 minutes to finish the rout.
While Sabalenka fired six aces to Ostapenko’s 4, it was the Latvian’s relentless return sport that made the distinction, as she broke serve six occasions to say the trophy.
In the second set, Sabalenka gained simply 10 factors – solely 5 on serve. Ostapenko closed out the match with an emphatic forehand return winner, defeating Sabalenka for the primary time in 4 makes an attempt.
The 26-year-old Belarusian owns three Grand Slam titles and 19 profession titles total however was aiming for her first win on the Porsche Grand Prix.
This marked Sabalenka’s fourth loss in a ultimate on the Stuttgart event.
“Great week, great tournament. Not for me every year, not for me, but maybe next year,” Sabalenka stated on the trophy presentation.
Earlier within the event, Ostapenko defeated second-seeded Iga Swiatek within the quarterfinals.
“I’m really, really happy with my performance in general this week. I was ready to play every single player because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that,” she stated in an interview with wtatennis.com.
“I think the game was already very good, but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself,” Ostapenko added.
The victory in Stuttgart is her ninth profession title.
“Thank you so much for this atmosphere here,” Ostapenko advised the followers. “It’s amazing. I just love to play here.”
The 27-year-old Ostapenko gained the French Open in 2017 with a high-risk, big-hitting sport stuffed with unbelievable winners. It stays her solely main title. She reached a career-best rating of No. 5 the next yr and is now ranked No. 24.
Source: www.dailysabah.com