Jelena Ostapenko continues to demonstrate her dominance over Iga Swiatek, regardless of the tournament, location, or surface, even Swiatek`s preferred clay.
In their first clay-court match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, extended her undefeated record against Swiatek to 6-0. She won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the Stuttgart semifinals for the first time at this WTA 500 event.
Ostapenko has now beaten Swiatek on all court types, including four hard-court and one grass-court victories. Just two months prior in Doha, she defeated Swiatek 6-3, 6-1. While Saturday`s match was more challenging and lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes, the outcome remained the same.
Ostapenko started strongly, winning the first four games and breaking Swiatek`s serve three times in the first set. Swiatek responded in the second set, winning the final three games. However, Ostapenko regained control in the deciding set, winning 12 of the first 15 points to secure a lead she maintained to win the match.
`I think I played at maybe an 8 or 9 out of 10 today,` Ostapenko admitted after the match. `I could have won in two sets, as I rushed a bit in the second, but overall, I believe I performed well.`
`She is obviously a fantastic player, and playing her is always a tough battle. I anticipate a difficult match every time. However, I felt confident in crucial moments that I would have opportunities to win.`
Ostapenko`s victory ensures that an unseeded player will reach the Stuttgart final. She will face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semifinals. Alexandrova, ranked No. 22, defeated No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-4 in the first quarterfinal on Saturday.
