Ostapenko takes down Swiatek in Dubai

Jelena Ostapenko defeated Iga Swiatek in a very good 3-set match that saw both players squander huge chances to win the match.

In the end, it was Ostapenko who proved more composed in the final moments of the match sealing it in the tiebreak of the final set. In the first set, it was Swiatek who proved better early. The Polish player had more consistency from the baseline and was able to take an early lead. Ostapenko would battle back but towards the end of the set Swiatek once again jumped ahead finish off the set with 6-4.

In the 2nd set Ostapenko literally destroyed Swiatek from the baseline. The Latvian player was unable to miss anything and everything she tried worked. Confidence eroded quickly for Swiatek and she created very little separation with her serve. In the end, Ostapenko won it 6-1.

The 3rd set was a very dramatic one for both players. Still struggling with confidence, Swiatek opened it very flat. Ostapenko took a 3-0 lead but eventually started missing more than usual which allowed Swiatek to barely battled back into the match 3-3. Ostapenko would jump ahead 5-3 once more thanks to some tremendous shot-making but found herself losing 3 games in a row.

Swiatek saved a match point at 5-4 and 15 minutes later served for the match but she could not win it. She struggled all day long with her own serve and Ostapenko was able to unleash multiple return winners. In the tiebreak, it was Ostapenko who was more consistent and daring and it paid off.