Eight years later, Ostapenko is still swinging freely and winning titles

She had turned 20 only two days earlier, and now Jelena Ostapenko was stepping -- no, vaulting, actually -- into history.

Her stunning three-set comeback victory over Simona Halep in the 2017 Roland Garros final was an exceptional, rare piece of work. Ostapenko was the first unseeded player to win a Grand Slam since 1933 and the first woman to make a major her first career title at the WTA Tour level in nearly four decades.

In retrospect, is it any wonder the lively Latvian wasn’t quite ready for the oppressive notoriety, the pressure of expectation that would come with that achievement?

“At that time I was probably fearless, but I didn’t have that much experience,” Ostapenko said a few months ago in Doha. “I think honestly now I’m a better player, and mentally as well. Getting a bit older and more mature I think is going to help me.”

On Monday in Stuttgart, again unseeded nearly eight years later, Ostapenko proved it. She defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. That moves Ostapenko back into the PIF WTA Rankings Top 20.

It was the first win over Sabalenka in four tries. Her run in Stuttgart included a quarterfinal win over No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek (she’s 6-for-6). And to think that Ostapenko came into Stuttgart with a 7-9 record for the year.

There’s something about high stakes that excites Ostapenko. And, she told reporters later, she felt this one coming.

“Honestly, I didn’t tell to anyone,” Ostapenko said. “I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day. I had, like, strange -- not strange but in a good way, strange feeling.

“When I came here, I felt like something is going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament.”

Said Sabalenka, “Honestly I think it was few points at the end of the first set. After the first set, she just outplayed me. Yeah, it was just great game from her in the second set.”

Afterward, Ostapenko fielded some questions from wtatennis.com:

Ostapenko bests Sabalenka in Stuttgart final to claim ninth career title

You beat No. 1 and No. 2 in the same tournament. What does that mean to you?

Ostapenko: I’m really, really happy with my performance in general this week. I was ready to play every single player, because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that.

You have played the World No. 1 four times -- and won three. What is it about that challenge that brings out the best in you?

Ostapenko: I am always ready for a battle. Everybody at this level is a good player. Honestly, I don’t think about this.

How do you explain this breakout week, why now?

Ostapenko: Because the time has come to play! [Laughing]. I think the game was already very good, but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.

Being more mature, in your mind do you have less pressure and play freer?

Ostapenko: I think so, yes. I had already enough pressure in my career. Even today I didn’t feel it -- even though it was final. In my mind, I was just playing a match. Unfortunately, no time to celebrate. Tennis is a busy sport. Jumping on a [Frankfurt] plane, then practice in Madrid for a few days and play a match on Thursday.

How will this help your confidence going to Roland Garros? Should you be considered a favorite this year?

Ostapenko: I’m not putting any pressure on myself. Obviously I can play well on this surface. I will take it match by match, but anything can happen.

Here's more from the first week on the European red clay:

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