Out of nowhere
Simona Halep of Romania, who got past 2016 U.S. Open runnerup Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the second compelling semifinal on a sunny day with the temperature touching 81 degrees (27 Celsius).
While Ostapenko is assured of making her debut in the top 20 next week thanks to her surprising showing at the French Open, there is more at stake for the No. 3-seeded Halep: In addition to a chance for Grand Slam title No. 1, a victory would allow the 25-year-old to seize the No. 1 ranking for the first time, too.
This is the second major final for Halep, the runner-up to Maria Sharapova at Roland Garros three years ago.
“I hope this time I can play better,” Halep said, “and I can win it.”
There will be quite a contrast in styles Saturday at Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 5-foot-6 (1.68meter) Halep is a ballchasing, defensive dynamo unafraid of lengthy exchanges who gets to nearly everything off an opponent’s racket and is careful when she swings. She made 14 unforced errors against the No. 2-seeded Pliskova, whose total was 55. The 5-10 (1.77meter) Ostapenko, meanwhile, is aggressive as can be, a go-for-thelines-and-hit-them tour de force who likes to keep points as snappy as her answers to reporters’ questions.
Bacsinszky’s scouting report on Ostapenko, a pal she played doubles with last year?
“She is young and reckless, in a sense. She’s not afraid of anything. She’s a big hitter,” said Bacsinszky, who also lost in the 2015 French Open semifinals. “She’s a baby, but she’s a beautiful baby.”