Share

Ostapenko wins Korea Open

Seoul - Top seed Jelena Ostapenko clinched victory at the Korea Open on Sunday, defeating Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in a closely contested three-set final.

The 20-year-old French Open champion from Latvia rallied from a set down to beat the debutante finalist 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-4, in a match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

"I'm really happy to win my second title here and in my career," Ostapenko said after the match. "I enjoyed playing here and to also see so many Latvian flags is amazing."

Sunday's win was Ostapenko's first hardcourt title since her upset victory over third-seed Simona Halep at the French Open in June.

Despite her defeat, Haddad Maia said competing in her first Women's Tennis Association finals had been a good experience.

"This match today was really tight. Both of us were playing very well," she said.

Ostapenko, the first Latvian to win a Grand Slam tournament, was a huge crowd favourite in Seoul throughout the week-long tournament.

The final match drew around 9 000 spectators, Yonhap news agency said, the tournament's first sell-out since it began in 2004.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE