Jelena Ostapenko beat Simona Halep to win her first Grand Slam title. (Source: AP)
It looked like Simona Halep would run away with this one at a point. Jelena Ostapenko was making too many unforced errors and that led her to losing the first set 6-4 and trailing 0-3 in the second set. But then came the comeback. The errors reduced and the attacks became more measured and the fact that Ostapenko lost more points that Halep won them became increasingly apparent. Her family, including her mother and coach, are in tears in the stands. A breath of fresh air has just wafted over Roland Garros and it has come all the way from Latvia.
Jelena Ostapenko vs Simona Halep, French Open 2017 women’s singles final highlights:
2037 hrs IST: Ostapenko wins French Open 2017 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Relentless, attacking and bold, Ostapenko has incredibly won her first Grand Slam just days after turning 20.
Jelena Ostapenko wins her maiden Grand Slam title! http://t.co/tm3KSlKacZ
🏆 1er titre du Grand Chelem pour Jelena Ostapenko 👏#RG17 pic.twitter.com/yVyxLPJuOO
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 10 June 2017
2004 hrs IST: Ostapenko comes from 0-3 down to win the second set 6-4. The resilient 20-year-old has completed a remarkable comeback in this set.
On 🔥 ! Ostapenko wins 6 of last 7 games to take second set 6-4!
Jelena, une jeune fille de caractère !
2e set remporté 6/4 #RG17 pic.twitter.com/olX7SAWJqb
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 10 June 2017
1954 hrs IST: The fightback continues, and Ostapenko now leads 4-3 in the second set. A cross-court flying forehand and Ostapenko has just won four games in a row
1945 hrs IST: Ostapenko takes the fifth too and now trails 2-3. All of a sudden Ostapenko looking good.
1940 hrs IST: Ostapenko wins the fourth game, second set score is now 3-1. This was a long one with the two tied at deuce for a number of exchanges before wins the third break point
1932 hrs IST: Halep leads the second set 3-0. Halep running away with this set so far. Ostapenko looking more exasperated with each error she makes. 30 unforced errors from the 20-year-old so far
1924 hrs IST: Halep leads Ostapenko 0-1. Ostapenko is on the offensive and that has forced her into making errors. Halep hence takes five consecutive points to take the lead in the second set
1916 hrs IST: Halep wins first set 6-4. It has been a fascinating dual so far. Ostapenko’s inexperience is written all over the number of unforced errors she has made but she has also won some incredible battles. Halep keeps her calm and comes out on top.
Halepeno Power!
No. 3 seed @Simona_Halep holds off a fiery Ostapenko to take the first set 6-4.#RG17 pic.twitter.com/hnyoHKmTJz
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 10 June 2017
1910 hrs IST: Halep takes the lead again, the set is now balance at 5-4. Ostapenko had stormed to 30-0 but Halep fights back to advantage before winning a lengthy rally
1906 hrs IST: Ostapenko brings it back to 4-4. Unforced errors and more unforced errors from Ostapenko. She was leading the game 40-o but Halep finds her way back in to take it to deuce. But the 20-year-old holds her own and takes the game.
1900 hrs IST: Halep leads the first set 4-3. Ostapenko did not allow Halep to run away with the game and forced it into a deuce. Unforced errors have been the 20-year-old’s undoing so far and Halep comes out on top.
1855 hrs IST: The first set is tied at 3-3. Ostapenko serves but Halep breaks and storms to a 40-15 lead
1848 hrs IST: Ostapenko is playing some clever tennis here as does well to take 30-15 before finishing off the fourth game with a perfect forehand smash. A terrific start from both players, in hot conditions.
1845 hrs IST: Halep takes 2-1 lead as Ostapenko makes a couple off sloppy errors. Halep shifting gears and not giving her opponent any chance to free herself.
1840 hrs IST: Ostapenko wins the first game of the first set as she straight away starts with some aggression. Halep is yet to loosen herself. The 20-year old hits winner after winner to take her first game. Fans have come out in great support as the Philippe-Chatrier Court seems to be fully packed for the final.
1836 hrs IST: Trophy the two ladies are fighting for. Who will lift it this time?
La coupe Suzanne Lenglen attend sa reine / Trophy is ready @LouisVuitton #RG17 pic.twitter.com/1x0xoqbyu8
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 10 June 2017
1829 hrs IST: A win today for Halep, will ensure that she claims her career best ranking and dethrone Angelique Kerber from the World No.1 spot. Will her second Roland Garros final be memorable or Ostapenko will become the first player since Justine Henin to win the singles title after saving a match point?
1822 hrs IST: Both the players are out in the middle and are warming up. They have practised early in the morning.
1813 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to the live coverage of women’s singles final between Simona Halep and Jelena Ostapenko. The Romanian made it into the final with a win over Karolina Pliskova while the Latvian continued her dream run with a win over Bacsinszky. Both are playing for their maiden Grand Slam. However, for the 20-year old Jelena, it is the first time that she has made it to the big stage. It will be interesting to see if Jelena could break through Halep’s defence and register her name in the history books of Tennis.
