French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko believes her calm approached to the tour has been the driving force behind her run at the Miami Open.
The Latvian reached her first final of the year on Thursday following a hard-fought 7-6(1), 6-3, win over breakout sensation Danielle Collins. The world No.94 gave Ostapenko plenty to think about. At the start of the match she lost a 3-1 lead before later being forced to save a set point on route to the tiebreaker. Nevertheless, the 6th seed utilized her powerful shot-making to close the match out in straight sets. Producing a total of 33 winners and benefiting for Collins’ tally of 34 unforced errors.
“I knew it was gonna be a tough match, because I saw a couple of her matches this tournament and she was playing really on a high level, so I expected her to play this Tennis.” Said Ostapenko.
The last time the two players met was on the junior circuit at the 2011 Eddie Herr International. A lot has changed for both players since then, but Ostapenko admits that she is not surprised by Collins’ performance in the tournament. The American has doubled her career prize money thanks to her recent run.
“I was, like, 14 and she was 18. She was also hitting quite hard the ball.” The 20-year-old recounts.
“But of course now she improved a lot. She was not missing today (Thursday). She was going for the shots, serving well, very consistent. So I wasn’t surprised with the way she played.”
Miami magic
A win away from her third WTA title and her first in a Premier Mandatory event, Ostapenko is yet to drop a set in Miami. Also producing straightforward wins over Petra Kvitova and Elina Svitolina earlier this week. Reflecting on her journey to the final, the world No.5 has attributed an improvement in her mentality to her recent surge.
“I think I’m calmer, and also mentally I’m stronger now.” She explained. “Just more consistent and more confident and just going for shots sometimes and not afraid to miss it.”
Prior to her latest event, consistency has been an Achilles heel. In the first seven tournaments of 2018, Ostapenko has only managed to win back-to-back matches at one event (the Australian Open). An issue she has been keen to address.
“I was working on my mentality more because I need my confidence and to be more consistent because sometimes I was playing, like, one match amazing and the next one not that great.” She said during a on-court interview with Andrew Krasny.
In the final Ostapenko will take on Sloane Stephens in a battle of the reigning Grand Slam champions. 2017 US Open winner Stephens edged out a weary Victoria Azarenka 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, in her semifinal clash. It will be the first meeting between the two players on the tour.
“I think I still have to be very aggressive and try to go for shots when I have to. And of course she’s a great player and it’s gonna be a tough match.” Ostapenko said about facing Stephens.
“I’m just looking forward to it.” She added.
Ostapenko is the youngest Miami Open finalist since Azarenka’s run at the age of 19 in 2009.
