Photo credit: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Facebook
Chasing another buzzing blast from Jelena Ostapenko’s racquet, Aryna Sabalenka slipped and crashed to the clay court in the second set.
In a match of major champions, Ostapenko drilled damaging drives knocking the world No. 1 out with ruthless resolve.
A commanding Ostapenko fired through five games in a row dismissing Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 to capture her ninth career championship at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on the red clay of Stuttgart.
‟I felt very confident from the very first day," Ostapenko said. "I had this strange, but also good feeling, that something special could happen here.
"I’ve earned it.”
Breaking serve to open both sets, Ostapenko converted six of 11 break points and crushed 21 winners against only 8 unforced errors, beating the Belarusian for the first time in four meetings. Ostapenko improved to 3-1 lifetime against reigning world No. 1 players.
“Congrats Aryna on a great week,” Ostapenko said before accepting the keys to the Orange Porsche behind the court. “I think you hate me now because you wanted this car so badly. I’m sure you’ll get into another time. It’s great to share the court with you because you are a great champion.
“I hope to be back next year and I’m just really happy.”
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Consider what Ostapenko achieved this week.
The world No. 24 went the distance defeating No. 11 Emma Navarro and No. 2 Iga Swiatek—improving to 6-0 lifetime against the five-time Grand Slam champion—then swept Ekaretina Alexandrova in the semifinals before dominating US Open champion Sabalenka from first ball to last in today’s rare Monday final.
It is Ostapenko’s second career clay-court crown and first since she defeated Simona Halep in the 2017 Roland Garros final for her maiden Tour-level title. In that French Open final, the powerful Latvian punished 54 winners roaring through 12 of the final 16 games hitting Halep right off the court, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, to capture her first career championship in the Roland Garros final.
Though Sabalenka did not play poorly—she hit 19 winners against 10 unforced errors—one of the most powerful players in the sport looked nearly powerless to slow Ostapenko in the second set.
A razor-sharp Ostapenko surged through 20 of the final 24 points sealing her ninth career championship—and first since she won Linz in February of 2024.
“First of all, I want to congratulate Jelena and her team on a great week,” Sabalenka said. “You played really great this week. You were a better player than me. Well done. Enjoy your car—after this final I’m going to order one.”
Facing Sabalenka for the fourth time, Ostapenko came out ripping returns and driving the ball down the line. A heavy crosscourt forehand from Ostapenko elicited a netted reply as she broke to open the final.
The 2017 French Open champion held at 15 to back up the break for 2-0.
As the set progressed, Sabalenka dialed in her first serve. Sabalenka slashed successive aces, stamping a love hold for 2-3.
Crunching a crackling crosscourt forehand, Sabalenka broke back for 4-all.
That was a short-lived reprieve as Ostapenko torched sizzling returns scoring her second break in the ninth game.
The woman in black served for the set at 5-4, but double faulted on her first set point and sprayed a backhand wide on her second set point.
Still, Ostapenko stayed focused and belted a backhand down the line converting her third set point to snatch a one-set lead after 57 minutes of play.
After a physical set, Sabalenka left the court for a bathroom break.
The world No. 24 won 19 of 23 points played on her first serve in the opening set. Picking up right where she left off, Ostapenko battered big returns breaking to open for the second straight set.
Undaunted, Sabalenka broke straight back to level 1-all.
That was the three-time Grand Slam champion’s last real stand in this final.
Ostapenko stormed through eight of the next nine point, slamming an ace out wide to go up 3-1.
Pouncing from a predatory crouch to return serve, Ostapenko was zapping returns inside the baseline. Sabalenka slipped and fell chasing one as she dropped serve falling behind 1-4.
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Two games later, Ostapenko turned her shoulders into one final forehand return crosscourt closing in one hour, 25 minutes.