Ostapenko Back In Win Column After Title In Eastbourne Over Kontaveit

Former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko returned to the winners’ circle following an impressive week at Eastbourne which she capped off today with a title win over Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-3.

“I’m really happy with the way I played the whole week,” said Ostapenko following her first title since 2019 Luxembourg. “There were some close matches, but I was fighting till the last moment. I played really well, and I think the semifinal and final I played really on a high level.”

En route, it was no easy round for the Latvian wildcard who eliminated French finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Birmingham finalists Ons Jabuer and Daria Kasatkina, and then in the semifinals Elena Rybakina.

“I think I was honestly very calm going into the match,” Ostapenko said. “I had no stress at all. I warmed up really well, and I was really ready. I was just expecting a really tough match, because I knew she’s a great player and it’s going to be really hard to play against her.

“I was trying to play more aggressive and to go for the shots when I had chances. I think I served really well today, I returned and changed the directions [which] also helped me a lot. And using dropshots and different kind of shots, sometimes slices I did from the forehand.”

Kontaveit, who was seeking her second career title, has now lost her last five finals. It was also her first loss in three matches against Ostapenko.