‘Proud’ Jelena Ostapenko shares her thoughts on beating Iga Swiatek for a sixth consecutive time
Jelena Ostapenko continued her sensational winning streak against world No 2 Iga Swiatek in Stuttgart, beating the Pole 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
Overall, it marks the Latvian’s sixth consecutive victory over Swiatek and the first on a clay court.
In February, Ostapenko had dominated the five-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 6-1 in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open.
“She is a great clay court player as well, but I won the French [Open] so I can say about myself the same thing,” the 2017 Roland Garros champion said.
“I have so much respect for her and her team and everything she is doing for tennis but every time I step on to the court with her I am like it’s another battle, I am ready for it and even if I don’t feel great on the day I am going to fight and leave it all on the court.
“I think it helped today that I was fighting until the very last point.”
Whilst Ostapenko was in control for the majority of the match, she became slightly more erratic at the beginning of the second set, with Swiatek firmly jumping on the rare opportunity.
“In the second set I didn’t feel my game so much, and in the third set I was like okay it’s done, we are playing the third set from the beginning, and I will fight until the end, and we will see what happens,” she stated.
“I am really proud of myself.”
“I felt like the balls were getting a bit slower when they were used and I am really just glad I was fighting.”
Ostapenko is just the third woman who has not been ranked world No 1 to win their first six matches against a former or future world No 1.
The other two players to do so are Gabriela Sabatini and Agnieszka Radwanska.
Latest WTA News
Coco Gauff backed to win ‘multiple Grand Slams’ as Serena Williams’ ex-coach comes to her defence
Iga Swiatek title drought continues as Jelena Ostapenko becomes 3rd woman to achieve stunning feat
Swiatek, who is still without a final appearance since winning Roland Garros in 2024, also shared her thoughts on the match and her overall performance.
“Well, for sure I’m happy with the second set,” the former world No 1 said.
“Disappointed that I couldn’t hold my level in the first games of third set, because I think for sure it was important. But, you know, I kept fighting. Yeah.
“I think today was a tight match, so for sure I had my chances to win. Before, like, for sure, like, these matches were different. Like, she went for it and she was smashing every ball kind of perfectly. Today she didn’t, she made some mistakes. I had my chances. I just didn’t use them.
“Honestly, I wasn’t able to play anything before, like, any tactics. No, it was pretty simple, and I knew what I need to do. I did that in the second set, so it was just a matter of, like, keeping it for the whole match.”
Iga Swiatek is next scheduled to play at the Madrid Open, April 22nd – May 3rd, which will feature all top 10 WTA players.
