Stuttgart Open: Ostapenko Claims First Clay Title Since 2017 by Defeating Sabalenka
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Synopsis
On April 21, Jelena Ostapenko triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 6-1 at the Stuttgart Open, marking her ninth WTA Tour title and first on clay since 2017. This victory signifies a significant comeback for the Latvian player.
Key Takeaways
- Jelena Ostapenko won her first clay title since 2017.
- Defeated No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
- Improved her record against World No. 1s to 3-1.
- Made history by beating both Sabalenka and Swiatek in the same tournament.
- Sabalenka's upcoming goal is to match Kvitova's Madrid title record.
Stuttgart, April 21 (NationPress) Jelena Ostapenko concluded a remarkable week at the Stuttgart Open by defeating No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 6-1 in the final. This victory marks her ninth career title on the Hologic WTA Tour and her first on clay since clinching the Roland Garros title in 2017.
In the Stuttgart final, it was a matter of whether Sabalenka would secure her much-desired first title after three previous defeats in this match-up, or if Ostapenko would claim victory over Sabalenka for the first time in their fourth meeting. Ultimately, it was the Latvian player who triumphed in an exhilarating battle, as noted by WTA.
The 24th-ranked Ostapenko ended Sabalenka's eight-match winning streak after her Miami title, improving to 3-1 against current World No. 1 players. She had previously defeated Garbine Muguruza in Wuhan 2017 and Iga Swiatek at the 2023 US Open. After defeating Swiatek in the quarterfinals this week, Ostapenko became the ninth player to beat both Sabalenka and Swiatek in the same tournament, the sixth since Swiatek first reached the No. 1 ranking, and the first to do so on clay.
Conversely, while Sabalenka has excelled on hard courts, she has only secured two clay-court titles thus far. The silver lining for her is that both titles were earned in Madrid, her next event on tour. She claimed victories against the World No. 1 for both of those titles: against Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Iga Swiatek in 2023. Her Madrid record stands at 17-4.
If Sabalenka lifts the trophy again in Madrid, she will match the record for the most titles at the event. Petra Kvitova holds the record with three wins in 2011, 2015, and 2018.
