Doha: Jelena Ostapenko, the World No. 13, secured a straight-set 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over France’s Oceane Dodin at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open yesterday.
Ostapenko, the 15th-seed and a former finalist in Doha, four straight games to steal the first set after No.93. Dodin had initially led 3-0. The Latvian player rounded into form on serve by the time the 82-minute match concluded—she landed 66% of her first serves and hit eight aces—while a plethora of breakpoint chances helped her cause.
Meanwhile, 2014 Doha champion and former World No.1 Simona Halep suffered a 4-6, 3-6 loss to France’s Caroline Garcia. The victory was only the second for the French, a wildcard entrant, after nine career encounters between the duo and her first win against the Romanian in more than four years.
In another enthralling encounter, Tereza Martincova battled through windy conditions and a dogged opponent in the first round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open to upset No.10 seed Elina Svitolina 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(5) in 2 hours and 59 minutes.
Source: Qatar Olympic Committee