Jelena Ostapenko beat Paula Badosa 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the third quarter final of her career at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to reach her first semifinal in the Italian capital.
Ostapenko will face the winner of the quarter final match between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
The Latvian player reached the quarter finals in Rome twice in 2018 and 2021, but she lost both times in three sets.
Ostapenko earned an immediate break in the first game, but Badosa broke straight back in the second game. Ostapenko hit 10 winners in the first five games and broke in the third and fifth games to open up a 4-1 lead. The 2017 Roland Garros champion saved three break points in the sixth game to hold serve and served it out on his first set point.
Badosa broke serve in the fourth game and saved three break points in the fifth game to open up a 4-1 lead. Ostapenko broke back in the seventh game and held serve to draw level to 4-4. Badosa earned her second break in the 10th game to seal the second set 6-4.
Ostapenko started the third set with an early break in the first game. Badosa broke back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Ostapenko broke twice in the fifth and ninth games to close out the third set 6.3.
Ostapenko won a match in the final set for the third time in in her four wins at this tournament so far.
“This is one of my favourite tournaments. I really love playing here. I was never more in the quarter finals, and I am finally in the semifinals. Paula is a great player and I know is such a fighter, so I expected a tough battle. The most important thing was to fight for every point. The match is only over when you shake hands, so even though some points and games did not go my way, I just managed it. I think I played well in deciding moments”, said Ostapenko.
