Jelena Ostapenko: Stuttgart Open winner had ‘strange feeling’ before tournament after shocking Aryna Sabalenka in final

Jelena Ostapenko had never before beaten Aryna Sabalenka, but she changed the record in very impressive style to claim a straight sets victory on Monday and win the Stuttgart Open. The surprise defeat for world No. 1 Sabalenka saw her nine-match unbeaten run come to an end, following her triumph at the Miami Open. Ostapenko said she felt "very confident" of winning at the start of the tournament.

Jelena Ostapenko lifts the trophy after winning the Stuutgart Open

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Jelena Ostapenko said she felt confident about winning the Stuttgart Open from the start of the week after she claimed a shock straight sets victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

The 27-year-old had lost all three of her previous meetings with Sabalenka, but cruised to a 6-4 6-1 victory against the world No. 1 on Monday.

It was Ostapenko’s maiden success in Stuttgart, as she claimed the ninth WTA singles title of her career and her first on clay since winning the French Open at Roland Garros in 2017.

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The Latvian said: "Honestly, I didn't tell [it] to anyone. I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day.

"I had a 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, because I think I'm improving day-by-day and I'm playing better and better. I think I deserve it.

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"Obviously I played Aryna a few times, but I analysed those matches and I knew what I had to do different today.

"I think I was more confident and a more true player today than before."

Sabalenka has now lost in all four of the finals she has played in Stuttgart, having fallen at the last hurdle on three successive occasions, in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The defeat saw the world No. 1’s nine-match unbeaten run come to an end after her triumph at the Miami Open at the end of March, where she did not drop a set.

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The three-time Grand Slam winner will hope to get back to winning ways as she returns to action at the Madrid Masters, which begins on Tuesday, April 22.

The Stuttgart Open marked Sabalenka’s return to clay as she prepares to bid for a first title at the French Open, which starts on Sunday, May 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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