By Mike McIntyre
Photos: Jimmie48 Tennis Photography
Jelena Ostapenko claimed her first Grand Slam title Sunday over the more experienced Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The 20 year old Latvian ignored any nerves she may have felt to overcome a one set and 0-3 deficit to capture the title. Ranked 47th in the world she will now catapult to 12th in the WTA Tour rankings and ensure more favourable match-ups moving forward as a seeded player in the events she enters.
Ostapenko claimed some impressive victories over her seven matches in Paris including versus 2016 Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig, 2011 US Open champ Sam Stosur, former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and of course the 2014 Roland Garros Finalist Simona Halep.
With many so-called tennis fans and pundits lamenting the lack of "talent" in the women's field in Paris, Ostapenko provided a gripping Cinderella story for people to embrace. Certainly the Tour misses Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and (judging by their reaction since her return in April) Maria Sharapova, but it will need to start promoting others such as Ostapenko to allow for some succession planning.
Here is a look back in pictures of her magical run at the French Open:
Comments