Get ready for a hard-hitting final on Monday in Stuttgart.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko each locked up straight-set victories Sunday afternoon to reach the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix championship.
For Sabalenka, she’s hoping it’s fourth time lucky as she seeks to finally take home the champion’s prize: a coveted Porsche.
The three-time major winner was the lone member of the WTA’s Top 4 to escape Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Her latest opponent, Jasmine Paolini, was responsible for eliminating world No. 4 Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka erased a break deficit in the second set to finish off the Italian, 7-5, 6-4.
The 26-year-old capitalised on six of eight break points to secure an eighth straight victory following her Miami Open triumph.
A day after moving to 6-0 against second-ranked Iga Swiatek, Ostapenko halted Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The Latvian dropped serve just once to advance, 6-4, 6-4.
At this 500-level event, Sabalenka has finished runner-up in three of the past four years—once to Asheligh Barty and twice to Swiatek. She is 3-0 against Ostapenko, taking their most recent meeting in last year’s Rome quarterfinals, and winning five of the six sets they’ve contested overall.
“She’s playing great tennis. Doesn’t matter what happened in the past,” Sabalenka told Andrea Petkovic. “I’m gonna go out there and fight like it’s the first match. I’m gonna fight for this beautiful car behind me. Please, I beg you, please. Please, I need this car!”
Ostapenko is bidding to become the third player this season to defeat the tour’s Top 2-ranked players in Sabalenka and Swiatek at the same event.
Madison Keys achieved the feat on her way to the Australian Open title, before Mirra Andreeva matched the accomplishment with her Indian Wells triumph. [tennis.com]
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