Wimbledon

Women play 5 sets? It could work, says Ostapenko

2018-07-12 20:11

London - Big-hitting Jelena Ostapenko believes she could comfortably play five-set matches at the Grand Slams - as long as they didn't stretch to epic proportions.

Ostapenko was beaten in the Wimbledon semi-finals by Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday in a tie which was over in just 68 minutes.

Seven-time champion Serena Williams then needed only 70 minutes to get past Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-4 in a truncated Centre Court programme.

On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal needed four hours and 48 minutes to see off Juan Martin del Potro in a five-set quarter-final.

Roger Federer was defeated by Kevin Anderson, also in five sets, in four hours and 14 minutes.

"That's a good question, but I think men are much stronger than we are. They are so used to playing five sets in Grand Slams," said 21-year-old Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.

"I think for us it would be something strange because we're not used to doing that. 

"It depends how long the match would be. If it's five hours, I think it would be tough. But if the match was three and a half or four hours, I think that could work. 

"I practice sometimes three hours in a row, so I'm kind of used to it."

Goerges, however, doesn't believe a five-set format for women would be wise.

"If we would play everything best-of-five sets, I think the Grand Slam would last three weeks here," she said.

"I also think the format we have right now with not having a tiebreak in the third set, I think that's already something which makes it exciting."

Wimbledon results on Thursday, the 10th day of the 2018 championships (x denotes seeded player):

Women

Semi-finals

Angelique Kerber (GER x11) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x12) 6-3, 6-3

Serena Williams (USA x25) bt Julia Goerges (GER x13) 6-2, 6-4

NEXT ON SPORT24X

What To Read Next

 

Read News24’s Comments Policy

Vote

Which is your favourite Grand Slam of the year?

Men
Women
Love 2 Meet
Sport24 on Twitter

Follow Sport24 news on Twitter

Featured

The 2017/18 Absa Premiership season has wrapped up. For all the season highlights - and lowlights - be sure to visit Sport24!

Latest blogs
 

Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

 
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.