While it may come as a surprise that 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko is in the finals of Roland Garros, by way of today’s three set win over Timea Bacsinszky, the young Latvian has shown consistent career results in the glamour events.
Ostapenko won the 2014 Wimbledon junior event. In 2015 she beat no. 9 seed Carla Saurez Navarro at Wimbledon, losing only two games.
Last year the bubbly teen continued her gradual ascent by reaching the semifinals of the Wimbledon mixed doubles with partner Olivier Marach (lost to Kontinen and Watson the eventual champions).
Also in 2016 at Aegon, Ostapenko beat Petra Kvitova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
This year Ostapenko began working with two time Roland Garros doubles champ Anna Medina Garrigues and the partnership paid quick dividends. Ostapenko made the third round in Melbourne and served for the match vs Karolina Pliskova but lost in three sets.
She rebounded to win the St Petersburg doubles title with Rosolska.
The best singles result of Ostapenko’s career came in April in Charleston where she beat Wozniacki and Lucic Baroni to make the finals where she lost to Daria Kasatkina. This effort placed Ostapenko into the WTA top fifty.
In Paris Ostapenko has rolled all the way to the final and is just one win away from making tennis history as the first Latvian to win a Grand Slam singles title (Larisa Savchenko Neiland won the French Open and Wimbledon in 1989 and 1991 and represented Latvia though she was born in Ukraine).
But in Ostapenko’s path will be no 3 seed and former Roland Garros finalist Simona Halep, who showed incredible defensive skills and retrieving abilities in dispatching Pliskova in three sets.
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« Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Djokovic must know he’s really blown it. Here wmhe was a year ago with the French title in hand and seemingly on the verge of a huge summer and arguably poised to win an olympic gold plus at least one slam before 2016′ end. Fast forward and the two players who seemed like they’d never beat him again now have added to their slam count while Djoker is in a funk, after five years of no funk tennis brilliance.
I imagine he’s smashing racquets.
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Pliskova must be upset also. She probably believes she could have knocked off Ostapenko.
Duke Carnoustie · June 11, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Scoop, how did Kozlov get a WC into the main draw over there? He will get smoked by Brown – he has no business getting a WC.
Novikov qualifies and will play Mahut.
For those you didn’t watch the doubles, D-Young was serving at 3-4 in the decider and double-faulted twice at 30-all. That was the match. Who knew that Harrison and Venus were buddies. I agree that they have the makings of a formidable team going forward if Harrison falters in singles and wants to make his money in doubles instead.
Hartt · June 11, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Rafa gives credit to Moya for improving his serve, especially his 2nd serve. Moya is also big on using the body serve and Rafa has been going for it more often. I think Moya was helpful to Milos – for example he used the body serve more often under Moya. With a powerful accurate serve like Raonic’s it makes a lot of sense.
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 4:05 pm
2017 is the triumph of the big four and what’s shaping up to be the confusion on the wta tour. On to Wimbledon where Federer, having followed Fritz’ strategy of sitting out the clay season…
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Harty’s right. Nadal looked like he could have won three straight French opens today alone. Dang. He looked like he got to the ball with time to spare, which he hadn’t been doing for a while (I thought he lost a quarter or half step over the past few years, a bit slower than he has been since 2010). But no, he was like lightning. And he’s what, stronger than ever and leaner than ever at the same time, like a world cup soccer player or an NBA shooting guard, a small one.
So pretty much. Wawrinka looked like his superb timing and heft of shot didn’t matter, and sorry to say he didn’t look as fit, not even remotely as fit out there. Again Nadal looked like he could have won three French open finals, in a row, today alone.
That was a ridiculous display of mastery out there. If I were Djokovic I’d think my chances at Wimbledon are zero this year, and that Nadal actually looks like the favorite, with Murray and Federer following right behind him if he slips up (or Isner etc knocks him out).
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 6:33 pm
Hartt I mean.
Harrison win is enormous. The interview with him was awful from usta. Doubles really does get second shrift. But tell you what, being a slam champion is being a slam champion. And I guarantee that Mattek Sands and Safarova feel pretty happy.
DY also just hired Craig Kardon, so I expect him to have an excellent doubles this summer.
Isner, Johnson, Harrison, and Young had an excellent tournament.
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 6:36 pm
The body doesn’t differentiate between what a win feels like in singles or doubles. So if you are winning that generates a positive emotion and desire to keep working hard. Harrison and DY have all the incentive in the world to put together a good summer, Johnson too.
I’m a little more worried about Sock in singles, given he doesn’t have much to show after a good first quarter of the year, his clay season went downhill after Houston. Fritz even less.
Andrew Miller · June 11, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Henk is right too. I thought Stan would be a different player in the finals. Nadal steamrolled him with even less than no mercy. It was total demolition.
Scoop Malinowski · June 11, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Hey Andrew; I would rather win a doubles GS than two Masters series in singles – Doubles glory in GS outlives and outshines Masters Series – Heck I'd rather win a mixed GS than a Masters Series. Huge Huge HUGE HUGE win for Harrison and Venus.
Scoop Malinowski · June 11, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Rafa Nadal won the 2017 2018 and 2019 Roland Garros titles today. I didn't see it yet but heard people talking about it at a tourney I playd in West Milford. Had to play two tough singles matches on hard court in 90 plus heat and beat a solid 4.5 then a D1 player in the final 75 62. A current D1 player so you can imagine the exhaustion, Rafa is the greatest player of all time. Ten times a winner of one GS is unbreakable record.
Scoop Malinowski · June 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Duke; Harrison family met Venus in Texas a decade ago and kept friendship. Harrisons let Venus stay at their house in Bradenton to train for years and years, Pat Harrison is super nice guy as is Christian and Ryan. It's a nice very special story.
Scoop Malinowski · June 11, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Du; Kozlov got WC last year and beat Johnson and got to QF I believe so I guess they like him and how he plays on grass – Kozlov can upset Brown on grass.
Henk · June 11, 2017 at 11:52 pm
First of all congratz Scoop with your championship today!
Andrew, Rafa has been playing unbelievable tennis his last 6 matches here. Stan, wasn’t at his best but that had a lot to do with Rafa not letting him into match.
As a Rafa observer and fan, what makes me most happy is the fact that he and his team re-invented Rafa. Serve (ridiculous 83% 1st service wins – at one point it was even 89%), agressive play (he was at the net 20 times and lost only two points in the final set), he’s been playing deep and taken the ball early and, as you mentioned, on top of that his movement (which has always been great) has become even better. Only 12 unforced errors against 27 sizzling winners and winning receving points like no other. This version of Rafa (if he stays healthy)could well win both Wimbledon and the USO. He played deep and flatter when necessaryin both 2008 and 2010,also the years where he improved his serve and reached speeds he never received before. Those were the years he won the double RG and Wimbledon, so this may be good omens.
We may well see a Roger-Rafa final in London or New York. When I said, after the AUS Open, that we would probably see a number of Roger-Rafa finals again, nobody agreed. I also said that a No.1 and No.2 year-end ranking for these two could be in the works. Rafa and Roger can only gain points so the heat is on for the present No.1 and previous No.2 (no.4 on Monday) who have an awaful lot of points to defend.
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 3:58 am
Why can’t a team come along and re-invent a certain WTA player – a year or so younger than Rafa ?
Nadal shows it can be done. It’s all down to him on the court of course but he must have some of the best support in the history of the game.
And what was it Pliskova bet that Simona would win in Paris ? Something like her house ? In which case she’s homeless now 🙂
The most honest quote I saw:
‘Maybe it’s good that it’s over for me.’
Hartt · June 12, 2017 at 6:06 am
I think Plisko said she would bet everything she had, so it is even worse!
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 6:18 am
Hartt –
You’re right – I couldn’t find the quote – so she is now homeless, possessionless – destitute !
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 7:23 am
Thanks Henk! It's always nice to win a title on the same day a legend does – also won an Open the day Federer beat Roddick in their classic epic Wimble final. All those people who suspected Rafa's body would break down by late or even MID 20s and said he wouldn't have a long career are currently eating their words and they have a lot to eat. I think even Agassi was a disbeliever in Rafa's longevity. This win blurs the GOAT debate again. Like Agassi has said the story is still in progress. It's unbelievable what these two are doing and frankly I can see these two titans continuing at this ultra high level for years and years to come. They both obviously still love tennis and have the desire and health. The best could be yet to come. I think we all know what the Wimbledon final is going to be. I pick Rafa to win Wimbledon. Federer has always been so impressive and amazing but I have always been a little more impressed by the way Rafa has done it. How he humbly took down the Great Federer and out fought and outsmarted the greatest player of all time on all surfaces. We have to say that at 31 Rafa is at his very best right now and the same can be said for Fed.
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 8:56 am
Catherine, so true on Nadal’s training. His coaches have a clear plan for him (improve serve, punch up / flatten out forehand, etc) and Nadal does it. There’s no wishy washiness. They (Toni Nadal, Moya, etc) identify the clay as Nadal’s best chance to find his groove (obviously, as greatest ever on the surface) and get him to have the goal of being best on clay. He does that, runs away with the Roland Garros title, and is a better player overall as a result.
I don’t hear the same coaching advice, or see as much of the same let’s stick to the plan from players, from players other than Nadal. Djokovic is working on peace and love. Federer has a similar kind of process which relies on simulation, inviting a stable of players to shore up Federer’s strengths.
Hard to know.
Just that the Nadal team vision focuses on crystal clear instructions.
As the Rick Macci folks say
HIT HARDER!!!
Jimmy the Gent · June 12, 2017 at 9:16 am
halep choked and nadal steamrolled thiem / stan as I predicted..
halep will bounce back but will ostapenko top out at 20 ?
as for thiem / stan – there shouldn’t be any shame – fortunately / unfortunately, nadal is not done yet at RG.
my favourites for W : Fed, Nadal, Murray..
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 9:54 am
Andrew –
Re Nadal’s team – maybe they should put out a book and a video with some of basics of their crystal clear instructional approach – no secrets revealed – just common sense which can be applied to any ambitious player.
And a special giftwrapped copy to Angelique Kerber for it was she who said ‘maybe it’s good that it’s over for me’ and ‘I don’t know what to do now’ after her ignominious exit from RG.
Seriously though, as you say – Nadal’s team have focus, no wishy washy,and in addition with ATP no confusing OCC.
Chazz · June 12, 2017 at 10:33 am
Coaching is important but only takes you so far. Nadal is a prime example. Look at how ripped the guy is. I think a lot of his conditioning is his own doing, his inner drive to push himself. When I look at him, I recall a story I heard about Kobe Bryant and how he would play a game and then hit the gym afterwards. Even at 31, Nadal is hungrier than mostly everyone on tour.
Darrin · June 12, 2017 at 10:34 am
Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
Chazz · June 12, 2017 at 10:35 am
Jimmy, Ostapenko is #12 (she went up 35 spots!). She might top out at 12 though. Who knows. My guess is she’ll build on the win rather than get complacent.
Henk · June 12, 2017 at 11:21 am
Scoop, yeah nice to win on the same day as a legend! And, yes, wouldn’t it be super cool to have a vintage Roger-Rafa Wimbledon final (if the draw allows it)? I agree that IF that will become the case, I predict a Rafa win. His present game is perfectly suited for the lawns at SW19, especially when they start to become clay-like during the second week.
catherine, that certain WTA player must want that ‘re-invention’ herself too. That’s the beauty of Rafa’s team. They work with a player who listens and (if you heard/saw the interviews)is humbly and openly stating that, despite his many wins, he has doubts every day. It’s these doubts that drive him to keep on improving. It’s that vulnerability part in Rafa that I’ve always liked and the fact he doesn’t mind showing it.
BTW you (catherine) and Andrew mentioned you see Ostapenko leave Wimbledon early. I think you both underestimate the newly gained confidence and her determination. She could well crash out early (Rafa did after the first time he won RG but made it to three consecutive finals after that, winning one) but if she makes it to the 2nd week, I think we may be in for another suprise. Anyway, women’s tennis became a lot more interesting!
Duke Carnoustie · June 12, 2017 at 11:46 am
There are now 10 Americans ranked in the top 100 in the ATP. Tennys Sandgren is No. 100!!! What a story!
Grace · June 12, 2017 at 11:59 am
Congratulations to all Rafa fans with this incredible new milestone. I, for one, am delighted with “La Decima” and the re-invention of my favorite player as mentioned by Henk
I agree with Scoop and Henk: Wimbledon and the US Open could become another Federer-nadal addition to one of tennis’ most exciting rivalries.
On the women’s side the fresh and exciting attack on the top 10 by Ostapenko has, IMO, only just started. I see a look and court demeanor that reminds me of teenage and present Rafa. I sense she is a one-slam wonder only. Now she should only bring a little bit of variation and surprise in her game. Her hard-hitting attacking tennis could do with the ocasional drop shot, lob and net-volley. If she brings in those combinations she could well become a lethal force.
I really liked the really nice and good sportsman-like way Halep reacted to what must have been a devastating loss.
Grace · June 12, 2017 at 12:01 pm
** correction to my above comment: she is NOT a one-slam wonder only **
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Henk –
That WTA player, who is Angie of course, certainly must want it herself, that drive to self-improvement, but probably needs some guidance on how and where to find it. Doubts she certainly has, she expresses them honestly, she’s one of the most honest players around, but the doubts are overwhelming her at present. She’s drifting.
The sooner Angie loses the No 1 ranking the better. Seems to be breeding resentment in some quarters which is unfair.
Ostapenko – it’s hard to predict how a winner of RG will fare at W’don. For a young player with a first GS there’s a lot of pressure and expectation and kudos to the person who knocks her out. I’m glad to see she’s entered B’ham in Sharapova’s place.
Humble is the right word for Nadal. All great champions
in my experience have that quality of humility and it can co-exist along with self-confidence and the recognition that they are somehow special.
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Grace –
Your hope that Ostapenko can develop ‘a little bit of variation and surprise in her game’ could apply to 99.9% of women currently playing the circuit 🙂
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Henk yes I think Nadal is ready to take on the grass season. He looked invincible just as in 2008 and his three slam year in 2010. I have no clue who he will face and a I feel sorry for the tennis ball.
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Henk on Ostapenko and the grass, I’m trying to square any first time slam winner and first ever tournament winner’s immediate future result with the sky high expectations and newfound attention. I don’t think anyone in the world deals with it well, and my guess would be neither does Miss Ostapenko. She will also have an x on her back, which no player can prepare for either, it’s another level.
Nadal didn’t handle it well after the 2005 French run, and that’s Nadal! Federer was ok after winning the 2003 Wimbledon title, but merely good, not amazing. Seles was awful. As much as I appreciate her courage, the grass is different and with these kinda of expectations she is heading for an early exit.
But she’s tough! That’s for sure. And she’s going to benefit from the easier early draw at the big W. It’s not enough in my view.
Grace · June 12, 2017 at 1:34 pm
catherine, couldn’t agree with you more. I am becoming a fan of Ostapenko. so I would love to see her develop, which I am sure she could.
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Steffi did ok at W’don in 88 after winning RG 0-0 🙂
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Graf’s first slam triump was in 1987. She didn’t win Wimbledon but did fine after that gateway French Open slam trophy. Seles got to the quarters in 1990 after her first slam at the French also. So not bad at all.
I don’t see it for young Jelena Ostapenko. But maybe she can ride that huge serve through a soft draw. Who knows, she hasn’t struck a ball on the grass yet.
Henk · June 12, 2017 at 1:49 pm
catherine, haha of course I knew you were referring to her. I really like ‘your’ Angie too and truly hope she can still do some damage
Like you I am not in the prediction biz and I agree with both you and Andrew that expectations can run (too) high for a first-time (and young) GS winner and also agree with you that it’s hard to predict a W winner. However, can’t explain, but there’s something about her that tells me she may have it in her to go deep at W or even surprise us and go all the way. Let’s see how she fares in the first week
Andrew, “and I feel sorry for the tennis ball”… good one… 🙂 Yeah, I think Nadal can do it, depending on his health and how he does in his first match(es).
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Ostapenko says she prefers to play on grass than clay – WATCH OUT Wimbledon!
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Andrew; Rafa was always good on grass despite the inexperience on it and the vast difference from his favorite surface but I saw his early years matches on grass and you could see it was just a matter of time till he willed his way to mastery of grass. I recall a good win by young Rafa over seasoned vet Spadea.
Henk · June 12, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Andrew, Ostapenko was a junior Wimbledon winner. Just like Rafa, she has shown at an early age that she does well on grass too
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 1:53 pm
And remember Kozlov told me a few years ago Wimble grass plays almost like hard court and it's a lot different than Newport grass.
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Catherine: Kerber should relinquish the no 1 ranking and do herself and all the other players a favor. Take a lot of pressure off her back too. But then again nobody seems to want it either. No 1 is like a jinx to a lot of players who get it. Or it's like Rios – his fire and desire changed after he was no 1 for six weeks. Was never the same force.
Henk · June 12, 2017 at 2:00 pm
…and Scoop, don’t forget how Rafa made it to the 3rd round when he was 17 and beat Mario Ancic in the first round… the year before as a 16 year old he made it to the semis in the juniors among 18 year olds…
Yes, I have that strange feeling Ostapenko will do some serious damage at SW19
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Henk I hear you. I’m all for more breakthroughs. I also find it very hard for any first time slam champion to find their way through the maze of expectations now that they aren’t flying under the radar anymore. It’s not only that opponents are on guard, but the media, the scouts, the paparazzi, the endorsement money, the talent agencies. I mean it’s a lot. If she can avoid it somehow, the massive increase in scrutiny and attention, let alone other players having some extra motivation, and others like Pliskova ready to prove themselves again or Kvitova aiming for a third Wimbledon and an emotional return – that’s an awful lot.
I don’t think it will hit her until it does and then it’s like a Mack truck. Maybe she will be able to train normally but I don’t think there’s anything normal about any of it. It’s gonna get surreal fast for Ms. Ostapenko, youngest French open winner in a while and first unseeded champ since 1933.
Jimmy the Gent · June 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm
chazz – I meant her age at 20 yrs old…..she could be one and done…..too much / too high too soon….let see where she goes from here – wins wimby ? FAT CHANCE LOL
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Scoop, Ostapenko is French open champion. She’s no longer young Ostapenko who no one knows. Maybe she’s going to enter it excited and ready to go, which is great. But it’s a lot of a lot for the greatest champions the sport has ever seen. And I’m not inclined to believe that anyone can handle any of it at all, no matter how much they like grass.
Scoop Malinowski · June 12, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Ostapenko has already shown quality wins on grass – she actually could be the true favorite to win it. After what she did in Paris I would not bet against her. She has the kind of personality that suggests she could become severely addicted to winning. She really really loves the battle (few WTA players show a joy for playing high stress high stakes tennis) but Ostapenko especially THRIVES when the chips are down. Yes, she could be the on we've been waiting for. The one who wants to be the best and wants to STAY on HER Throne.
Chazz · June 12, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Scoop, Kozlov is probably right about Wimbledon grass playing like hard courts. I heard a quote from James Blake that said exactly the same thing. It’s not as fast as it used to be several years ago.
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 3:59 pm
Scoop-
Don’t think there’s a precedent for anyone ‘relinquishing’ No 1 until they’re actually pushed off the top spot – which Angie will very soon be anyway. I’m sure she doesn’t consider herself No 1 now but that’s what the ranking still says. WTA system is a bit mad IMO.
Players are always making claims for W’don grass but so much depends on the weather, grass type etc. I remember around 1980/81 BJK claimed it was playing ‘just like the sixties’ which I presume meant fairly fast. Definitely a bit slower now, no doubt to suit the changed game.
catherine · June 12, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Let’s see how Jelena copes in Birmingham. She’ll get plenty of media attention there.
Andrew Miller · June 12, 2017 at 4:38 pm
I guess if Kerber can do it then crash and burn anyone can.