Jelena Ostapenko overcame a testing first set to defeat Johanna Larsson 7-6(6), 6-1, in the first round of the Korea Open in Seoul.
The Latvian, who is the only top 20 player participating in the tournament, was matched game-by-game throughout the opening set by her Swedish opponent. World No.85 Larsson impressively won 91% of her first service points as ten games went by without a simple break point chance occurring. At 5-5, Ostapenko was a point away from dropping her serve before taking the match into a tiebreaker, which she clinched on her third set point.
“She was playing very good during the first set.” Ostapenko said about her opponent. “She was serving very well. There were some tough games. In the tiebreaker I was fine until and the end and I think it gave me confidence for the second set.”
Clinching the 7-6 lead, the second set was a one-way show for the top seed. Victory was sealed with the help of 27 winners compared to Larsson’s tally of only three. Furthermore, she also hit five aces and converted three out of her five break point opportunities.
“I’m a top 10 player now and players on the court have nothing to lose against me. So they try to show their best (tennis).” Ostapenko reflected.
This week Ostapenko is bidding to win only her second WTA title after the French Open earlier this year. Already a grand slam champion, the focus of the 20-year-old is now on rising further up the world rankings.
“I think the most important thing is to win a grand slam because that is the goal for every tennis player.” She explained. “When I achieved that of course I want to be higher in the rankings. I think if I keep playing well and winning, the ranking (rise) will come.”
In the second round Ostapenko will take on Japan’s Nao Hibino.
Other seeds crash out
Second seed Kiki Bertens suffered a shock defeat in her first round match. Facing compatriot Richel Hogenkamp, she squandered a set and a break lead to go out 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, to the world No.119. It is the third consecutive tournament that the Dutch player has fallen in the first round.
Wild card entrant Han Na-lae delighted her home crowd with a unexpected 6-4, 6-4, triumph over third seed Kristyna Pliskova. 25-year-old Han is yet to break the world’s top 150 and has won seven ITF singles titles in her career so far.
Meanwhile, eighth seed Christina McHale was another casualty. Facing Alexandra Rux, she crashed out 6-3, 6-4. McHale only managed to win three out of her seven service games throughout the match.
Heading into the second round Ostapenko (1), Sorana Cirstea (4), Irina-Camelia Begu (5) and Tatjana Maria (7) are the only seeds left in the draw.
