Google News Rothesay Classic: Barbora Krejcikova, Jelena Ostapenko set clash of seeds in finale!
by ABBEY JOHNSON
It will be the no. 1 seed versus the no. 2 seed in the Rothesay Classic final on Sunday as Barbora Krejcikova will take on Jelena Ostapenko. Both players’ path into the final was quite contrary to the others. Krejcikova defeated Lin Zhu 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 32 minutes to make it to what’s the first-ever final in a tournament played on grass.
Krejcikova won 79% of her first-serve points to Zhu’s 42%. The Czech, however, did struggle to get going off her second serve. As compared to Zhu winning 68% of her second-serve points, Krejcikova could only win 47% of her second-serve points.
The world no. 12 faced five break points and saved four of these. She also converted four break points on her opponent’s serve. Following her win, Krejcikova shared, “Definitely feels great, I’m really happy with the way I played today.
It’s always difficult to play on the grass because the game can change quickly, so I’m happy how I handled the match and that I’m in the final”.
Rothesay Classic: Jelena Ostapenko survives Anastasia Potapova!
Meanwhile, it was a different story for the second-seeded Ostapenko in her semi-final against fourth seed Anastasia Potapova. The Latvian came from down a set for the second match in a row to clinch a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win after two hours and seven minutes of play.
Ostapenko won 61% of her second-serve points to Potapova’s 50%. Both players faced nine break points apiece but the higher-ranked player saved six of these while converting five break points on her opponent’s serve.
While the Rothesay Classic’s the second tournament in which Barbora Krejcikova’s made her way into the final (after the Dubai Open in February), the WTA 250 event’s the first final of the 2023 season for Jelena Ostapenko.
Going into the clash, however, the latter would be in a position of dominance as she holds a 4-2 lead against her fellow French Open champion.