STUTTGART, Germany — Jelena Ostapenko showcased her impressive skills by defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek on her preferred clay surface.
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Porsche Grand Prix on Saturday, Ostapenko triumphed with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, extending her head-to-head record against the four-time French Open champion to an astonishing 6-0.
“Whenever I face her, it feels like a fierce battle, and I am always prepared for it,” said Ostapenko, who claimed the Roland Garros title in 2017. “Even on difficult days, I give my all and fight to the very end.”
The Latvian, currently ranked 24th, had previously secured victories over Swiatek four times on hard courts and once on grass.
“I focused on being aggressive today and disrupting her rhythm because when she has time to play, she excels,” Ostapenko remarked.
In the semifinals, she is set to clash with Ekaterina Alexandrova, who advanced by defeating third-seeded Jessica Pegula with a commanding score of 6-0, 6-4.
Meanwhile, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka finally made her much-anticipated debut in Stuttgart, overcoming former doubles partner Elise Mertens with a score of 6-4, 6-1.
Sabalenka received a bye in the first round and benefited from a walkover in the second.
“I’ve never started my tournament on a Saturday before,” she acknowledged.
Next, she will take on No. 6 Jasmine Paolini, who celebrated her first top-10 victory of the year by defeating No. 4 Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3, breaking a three-match losing streak against her.
Sabalenka holds a 4-2 edge over Paolini in their head-to-head encounters.
