Jennifer Brady defeated Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Open on August 7.
The American, who is making her comeback on the WTA Tour after nearly two years injury layoff, is competing at the WTA 1000 level tournament in Montreal via protected ranking. Brady faced a familiar foe in the form of Jelena Ostapenko, against who she played her last WTA Tour match before going on a hiatus.
Brady won the first set in a tiebreaker 9-7. However, the Latvian roared back in the second, bageling her opponent 6-0 to level the tie. The third set also went into a tiebreaker, which Brady again managed to grab 10-8, winning the contest, 7-6 (7), 0-6, 7-6 (8).
The victory marked a full circle moment for Brady who had to retire mid-match against Ostapenko in the second round at the 2021 Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati despite setting the match up 7-6 (2), 4-5. The 28-year-old suffered with a fracture in her right knee and a tear in her left foot which kept her out of action for nearly 2 years.
Brady will next face World No. 3 Elena Rybakina in the second round on August 9.
Jennifer Brady stated that she was stunned by her own performance against Ostapenko.
In her post match remarks, the former World No. 13 said she was not satisfied with her performance.
"I have no idea how I won that match. On the court I don't feel like I'm moving as good as I want to, I'm not hitting the ball as deep or heavy as I want to. I'm not playing good tennis, I'm just playing tennis. That's how I feel on court," Brady said.
However, Brady was delighted to secure the win against the same person she played her last WTA Tour match before injury.
"I knew it was the last match I played before I was injured. I was really looking forward to it. I wish I could have played a better match, but who cares. People only look at the result, so I'm happy that I somehow won this match," she said.
Brady returned to professional tennis at the ITF Canada 03A event in July and won her first match against Kyoka Okamura. The former Australian Open finalist marked her return to the WTA Tour at Citi Open last week and looked flawless as she trounced Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina in the opening round, 6-2, 6-1. No. 7 seed Madison Keys bettered Brady in the second round, 6-4, 6-0.
Jennifer Brady is currently ranked World No. 584 in singles.
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