Jelena Ostapenko’s quest for a first US Open crown is still very much alive after recording a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 win over Lara Arruabarrena in the first round on Tuesday. It was a solid performance from Ostapenko who needed one hour and 40 minutes to produce the marathon victory. With the win, Ostapenko booked a place in the second round at Flushing Meadows for the second time in her career.
The Latvian held her composure in this rain-hit battle, hitting a whopping 30 winners and winning 64 percent of her first serve points. Playing without abandon at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ostapenko won 12 of her final 14 points against Arruabarrena to secure a round-of-64 clash with Sorana Cirstea. Ostapenko will need to limit her miscues, though, if she is to prevail in her maiden match against Cirstea. She committed 35 unforced errors in the win against Arruabarrena.
Sorana Cirstea opened her US Open campaign in devastating fashion, recording a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Lesley Kerkhove on Tuesday. It was a morale-boosting performance by Cirstea who won her first match at Flushing Meadows in three years. Things are bound to get tougher, though, for Cirstea as standing in her way in the round of 64 is Jelena Ostapenko. The world no. 12 is a big-game player who won the French Open title earlier this year.
For Cirstea to grab the upset, the 27-year-old needs to dominate with her service game. Cirstea’s serve was immense against Kerkhove as she won 80 percent of her first serve points in that first-round match. Cirstea also excelled with her return with the Romanian winning 50 percent of her receiving points. Cirstea converted four of her five break point opportunities on Tuesday and the world no. 54 will need that same kind of efficiency if she is to bring down Ostapenko.
Writer’s Prediction
Ostapenko (-190) eases past Cirstea in straight sets.
