(VIDEO) Early double-bounce debate fails to derail Ostapenko in Qatar Open

Jelena Ostapenko secured her place in the Qatar Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio, 6-3, 6-1. While the Latvian’s win appeared straightforward, the match was marked by a notable officiating incident early on.

In the first game, Osorio executed a precise drop shot to move to 40-15, prompting Ostapenko to question whether the ball had bounced twice before the shot. The 2017 Roland Garros champion immediately requested a video review.

Chair umpire Timo Jansen quickly obliged, reviewing the point. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see in the video, it’s confirmed there was only one bounce, 40-15,” he announced. Ostapenko shook her head in disbelief, directing a glance toward her box and gesturing at her racket frame, perhaps implying something about Osorio’s technique. Footage later confirmed that Osorio had won the point fairly, leaving the Latvian visibly unconvinced by the call.

The exchange provided a moment of light tension and amusement. During the change of ends, Osorio spoke to Jansen, quipping: “You knew that [it wasn’t a double bounce], didn’t you?” Jansen responded with a calm acknowledgment. Despite the early disruption, Ostapenko regrouped quickly. Osorio even broke in the next game to take a 2-0 lead, but the momentum shifted decisively afterward, as Ostapenko won 12 of the following 14 games to take control of the match.

After the early scare, she varied her aggression, particularly off the forehand wing, forcing Osorio into extended rallies and consistently pressuring her serve. The Latvian’s composure under scrutiny and ability to recover from a tense opening game demonstrated why she remains a formidable presence on the tour, especially in Doha, where she now advances to face Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinals.

The Italian comes from qualifying and five consecutive victories, including a straight-sets win over fourth seed Coco Gauff. The 25-year-old player is experiencing one of the best moments of her career at this start of the season, after winning the Hobart Open trophy just weeks earlier. Her campaign in Doha this week has already ensured a rise of more than 15 positions in the rankings and secured her return to the top 40.

The upcoming quarterfinal clash presents Ostapenko with a different tactical challenge. Cocciaretto’s baseline consistency and court coverage will test Ostapenko’s ability to dictate play. If the Latvian can maintain the focus and aggression she displayed after the early video review, she should be well-positioned to progress deeper into the Qatar Open draw. Cocciaretto won their only previous encounter, on the grass courts of the Birmingham Open 2024

Ostapenko needs a strong campaign this week, considering she is defending the runner-up finish she reached in 2025, when she fell to Amanda Anisimova. With at least three consecutive wins so far, she has already defended a portion of those points and currently sits at No. 32 in the live rankings.