Jelena Ostapenko most likely did not give a solution some reporters have been anticipating to listen to from her because the Latvian tennis star stated she wasn’t stunned in any respect that Yulia Putintseva was actually aggressive towards Iga Swiatek and finally managed to tug off one of many greatest upsets of the event.
On Saturday, top-seeded Swiatek exited Wimbledon within the third spherical after world No. 35 Putintseva noticed off the five-time Grand Slam champion 3-6 6-1 6-2. That very same day, world No. 14 Ostapenko safely earned a round-of-16 spot after dismantling Bernarda Pera 6-1 6-3.
Whereas the Swiatek loss was surprising, it was additionally disappointing for a lot of followers who have been hoping to see the Pole tackle Ostapenko within the Wimbledon round-of-16. Regardless that Swiatek has been undoubtedly the perfect participant within the sport for the previous two and a half years and has completed quite a bit, she nonetheless hasn’t overwhelmed one participant – Ostapenko. Had an Ostapenko and Swiatek Wimbledon match occurred, the 27-year-old Latvian would have entered with a 4-0 head-to-head report towards the Pole.
However as a substitute, Ostapenko confronted Putintseva and simply made it previous the 29-year-old Kazakh 6-2 6-3.
After overcoming Putintseva, 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko was requested if she was stunned about avoiding Swiatek.
“I truthfully knew it wasn’t going to be a straightforward match. Particularly as a result of Yulia gained Birmingham. She will be harmful on grass. She will play totally different tennis. She will slice and do various things. I knew it wouldn’t be a straightforward match for Iga. Particularly as a result of grass isn’t her favourite floor. I used to be prepared for each opponents. I used to be simply attempting to deal with my sport and what I’ve to do,” Ostapenko stated.
Jelena Ostapenko says she knew Iga Swiatek would have a troublesome time with Yulia Putintseva, she was able to face both of them
“After your final match there was quite a lot of speak that you just would possibly face Iga.. have been you stunned whenever you ended up enjoying Yulia?”
Jelena: “I truthfully… pic.twitter.com/OvP2wv4hp5
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 8, 2024
Ostapenko’s warning for her Wimbledon competitors
Via the opening 4 matches at The All England Membership, Ostapenko hasn’t dropped a single set. And never solely that every one of these 4 wins got here in straight units, they have been additionally fairly dominant because the Latvian hasn’t misplaced greater than a complete of 5 video games in each of her 4 matches performed.
“That is one in all my favourite tournaments. I gained it in juniors. I’ve nice reminiscences. We’re in a unique place now. However I’m simply actually proud of my efficiency. I’m having fun with my time right here a lot. Thanks guys. I like to be right here.”
“I really feel like I’m enjoying actually good gamers however my degree is de facto good in deciding moments particularly. And I’m simply tying to play my sport and be aggressive in these deciding moments. I feel that’s the important thing. I feel to date I’m doing fairly okay.”
Ostapenko, who turned a Grand Slam champion at 19, has been enjoying very aggressively at Wimbledon and admits returning to her previous type however in a extra mature method is among the keys to her sturdy run.
“I feel I’ve extra confidence and I’m extra mature on the court docket, particularly on this event. I do know what I’ve to do and I’m doing it fairly nicely, particularly within the decisive moments. I’m simply doing issues the best way I’ve been doing earlier than, like once I gained Roland Garros once I was again within the high 10. I really feel like I’m doing issues higher than earlier than,” Ostapenko defined.
Ostapenko makes a declare about grass courts
Ostapenko could also be having a completely nice Wimbledon run however shares that she and different gamers imagine the grass courts at The All England Membership have been extra slippery this 12 months than was the case prior to now.
“Within the locker room we’ve talked about how this 12 months the grass is a little more slippery than earlier than,” Ostapenko shared.
In the meantime, Ostapenko is ready to tackle 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova within the Wimbledon quarterfinal. After they meet, it will likely be their eighth assembly as Ostapenko leads their head-to-head 5-2. And never solely that the Latvian has a constructive head-to-head versus Krejcikova, she additionally beat the 28-year-old Czech of their lone grass assembly in Eastbourne final 12 months.
Whereas Ostapenko most likely has the sting of their assembly, former world No. 2 Krejcikova is feeling totally wholesome once more and able to play the Latvian.
“I’m positively wanting ahead to that match. I’m for the primary time in quarterfinals, and we’re going to rejoice it tonight, have some good meals,” Krejcikova stated forward of the Ostapenko match.