LAT’S A HELL OF A FOREHAND

JELENA OSTAPENKO blazed to the final by hitting her forehand harder than Andy Murray.

The Latvian (right) celebrated turning 20 by blasting past Timea Bacsinszky 7-6 3-6 6-3.

Her big forehand has averaged 76mph during her six wins here – 3mph faster than the men’s No.1.

“My backhand is my favourite shot but I have been working on the forehand,” said Ostapenko, who has yet to win a WTA Tour event. The last player to win their first title at Roland Garros was Gustavo Kuerten on June 8 1997, the day the Latvian was born.

Simona Halep beat No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the other semi-final.