Qatar Open news: Jelena Ostapenko keeps her winning streak going

WTA Tour
Jelena Ostapenko

World No 13 Jelena Ostapenko has added to her winning streak in the Middle East with victory in the opening round of the Qatar Open.

Ostapenko notched her sixth win in a row in the Gulf with a 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over France’s Oceane Dodin on Tuesday.

The Latvian has been at her mercurial best in recent weeks, playing an all-or-nothing game that has made her matches ones to look out for in the schedule.

In almost trademark fashion, Ostapenko allowed Dodin to move out to a 3-0 lead in the first set before powering back.

As the match wore on so Ostapenko’s service accuracy increased and she dominated the second set on her way to victory.

American Amanda Anisimova, who was a straight-sets winner against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Sunday, stands between Ostapenko and a third straight WTA Tour quarterfinal.

Ostapenko will not get another chance to revisit her rivalry with Simona Halep. She beat the former World No 1 on her way to the Dubai championship but Halep suffered just her second career defeat to France’s Caroline Garcia.

Garcia overcame blustery conditions to topple the 30-year-old Romanian.

“It was a very good match on my part. It was very tricky with the wind and cold weather … and against Simona, it’s always a great battle against her,” Garcia said.

“Today, I was very happy to stay very aggressive and positive every point. She had a good week in Dubai last week and in Australia as well, so she’s full of confidence. I didn’t win a lot of matches at the beginning of the year; it was kind of complicated for me, but every match is a match and you have to fight from the first point to the last one. I did it very good today and I’m very pleased with my performance.

“I’m working every day and hopefully I can get some more wins, more confidence and play better … I’m very pleased to be able to come back tomorrow.”

Garcia is now set to face 14th seed Coco Gauff in the second round in Doha.

Caroline Garcia Jelena Ostapenko Simona Halep

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