The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ostapenko shocks former world no 1 Wozniacki
Unseeded Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko fought through the rain delays to battle past former world no 1 Caroline Wozniacki and secure a place in the semi-finals of the French Open at Roland Garros, where there was disappointment for home favourite Kristina Mladenovic.
Ostapenko, 19, had struggled against the wind during the opening set on Suzanne-Lenglen, which Wozniacki took control of with two early brakes to race into a 5-0 lead.
Although Ostapenko, ranked 47 and looking to reach a first Grand Slam semifinal, recovered to 5-4 with two breaks of her own, the Dane closed out the first set as she broke the Latvian to love in the next game.
However, Ostapenko responded in the second set, breaking the world no 12 twice as she moved 5-2 ahead before rain forced the players off.
Following a delay of the best part of three hours, the teenager closed out the set on her serve to level.
Wozniacki, who has never made the semi-finals of the French Open, led 2-1 again in the decider before another rain delay.
Ostapenko, though, produced the required resolve when play resumed, with a double break putting her on the brink of victory, which she delivered when holding her serve to love as Wozniacki’s return dropped wide.
The elation of the 19-year-old was clear as the feat of her achievement began to sank in, after a 4-6 6-2 6-2 win over the 11th seed in just under two hours on court.
There was, though, tears of disappointment over on Philippe-Chatrier, where Mladenovic’s hopes of becoming a first French champion since Mary Pierce in 2000 evaporated as she was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Timea Bacsinszky, the number 30 seed from Switerzland.
Ostapenko, who had defeated Australian Samantha Stosur in the last 16, and Bacsinszky, 27, are set to meet for a place in the final tomorrow –which will be a birthday for both players.
The International Tennis Federation board has approved changes to the Davis and Fed Cups, including the reduction of men’s singles matches to best of three sets.
Davis Cup ties will remain as three days, with the doubles rubber kept on the middle day and as best of five sets.