Jelena Ostapenko downs Danielle Collins to reach Miami final
ByReuters
Published 30/03/2018 at 06:54 GMT
The Miami Open women's final will pit two reigning grand slam champions after Sloane Stephens and Jelena Ostapenko won their respective semi-finals in Florida on Thursday
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia celebrates match point against Danielle Collins of the United States in their semifinal during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Image credit: Getty Images
U.S. Open champion Stephens again ended former world number one Victoria Azarenka's hopes of a fairytale comeback by beating her 3-6 6-2 6-1 in an afternoon encounter.
French Open champion Ostapenko beat unseeded American Danielle Collins in the nightcap, staving off a set point en route to a 7-6(1) 6-3 triumph.
American 13th seed Stephens has five career titles, while sixth seed Ostapenko has two heading into Saturday's final.
"I'm feeling amazing now," said Latvian Ostapenko, who wore down Collins with a series of powerful groundstrokes.
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Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia shakes hands at the net after her straight sets victory against Danielle Collins of the United States in their semifinal during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Fl
Image credit: Getty Images
She hit 33 winners and ended the match in style with a running forehand winner down the line.
"I was fine until the end," Ostapenko said. "I was just trying to play my game and I'm really happy with the way I finished."
She said she had been working this year on her mental approach.
"Now I'm trying to be calm and I think it's helping."
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