Jelena Ostapenko’s first title as a professional is a Grand Slam win the 2017 French Open women’s final. She silenced the critics and proved she belongs among the stars as she became the first ever unseeded player to win at Roland Garros.
Ostapenko struggled, but never faltered. After dropping the first set 4-6 to No. 3 Simona Halep, she battled back fearlessly to win 6-4, 6-3.At just 20 years, 2 days old, Ostapenko is the youngest first-time Grand Slam champion since 2004 when Svetlana Kuznetsova won the US Open at 19 years, 2 months.
But she is making history in more ways than one. Ostapenko is the first player to win their debut title at Roland Garros since Gustavo Kuerten won on June 8, 1997, which happens to be the day Ostapenko was born. She is also the first Latvian to win a Grand Slam final.
Halep fought a relentless battle, but lost in her second Grand Slam final. Halep moves up to No. 2 in the world rankings.
Ostapenko celebrated her 20th birthday Thursday with a semifinal victory over No. 30 seed Timea Bacsinszky. Her road to the championship match hasn’t been easy, but she has continued to impress each step of the way while knocking out ranked opponents. Ostapenko beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals and No. 23 seed Samantha Stosur in the Round of 32.
Halep, arguably the strongest woman in tennis right now, would be the first Romanian to win a Grand Slam tournament since Virginia Ruzici in 1978, also at the French Open. Although Halep has more professional experience than Ostapenko, Saturday will be just the second Grand Slam finals of Halep’s career. Her first, also at Roland Garros, was in 2014 against Maria Sharapova.
Halep’s journey to this year’s final round also included wins against top competition. She defeated No. 2 Pliskova in three sets Thursday in the semifinals; No. 5 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals; No. 21 Carla Suarez Navarro in the Round of 32; and No. 26 Daria Kasatkina in the Round of 64.
