Stuttgart, Germany – Jelena Ostapenko continued her control over Iga Sweitek. This time she defeated the world’s second on her favourite surface.
Ostapenco has improved her head-to-head record against 6-0 against the four-time French Open champions, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Claycourt Porsche Grand Prix on Saturday.
“Every time I step into court with her, it’s a different fight. I’m ready for that,” said Ostapenko, who was Roland Garros’ 2017 champion. “Even if I’m not feeling well that day, I’ll just fight and leave everything to the court.”
The Latvian player ranked 24th, previously defeated swiatek four times on hard courts and once on grass.
“Today I was getting aggressive and when she had time, she was playing so well that I tried to get away from her,” Ostapenko said.
In the semi-finals, she played Ekaterina Alexandrova and kicked out third seed Jessica Pegra 6-0, 6-4.
No. 1 rank Aryna Sabalenka finally played her first match at Stuttgart, beating former Doubles partner Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1.
Sabalenka got a goodbye in the first round and a walkover in the second round.
“It didn’t happen before we had our first game on Saturday,” she said.
She will then face No. 6 Jasmine Paolini, who knocked off No. 4 Cocogoff 6-4 and 6-3 for the first time in three career meetings.
Paolini won his first top 10 victory of the year.
Sabalhka Leaads Paolini 4-2 Tour.