Ostapenko caps off impressive week with Birmingham Classic triumph over Krejcikova

Jelena Ostapenko has sealed her first title of the year with Birmingham Classic glory on Sunday afternoon defeating top seed, Barbora Krejcikova 7-6(8), 6-4.

In a clash between former Roland Garros champions, Ostapenko took one hour and 51 minutes to win through.

In doing so, she fended off a second set comeback and seals her sixth career singles title on the WTA tour. It is her first since Seoul last year.

It is a second career title on grass after winning 2021 Eastbourne. The first set in particular remained close.

Both remained untroubled on their service games with no breaks. In the tie-break, Ostapenko edged pivotal rallies with superb power play to give her a 6-4 lead and double set point.

Krejcikova turned it around though and forced her own set point only for Ostapenko to erase that and slam a forehand winner down the line at 9-8 to claim it.

Ostapenko lead 5-1 in the next set but this was narrowed to 5-4 by Krejcikova. Only again for the former to slam the door shut with another forehand winner down the line for victory.