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Ekaterina Alexandrova said she wanted to keep focused on her game and not allow herself to get distracted after Jelena Ostapenko required a medical intervention for a toe injury. In the Seoul final, second-seeded Alexandrova defeated top-seeded Ostapenko 7-6 (4) 6-0.
At 7-6 (4) 3-0, Ostapenko received medical intervention on the court. "I was just trying to keep it the same way, not think about what was happening on the other side and keep focused on myself," Alexandrova said, per Yonhap News Agency.
"It was important not to miss the opportunity to secure the set."
Alexandrova on her slow start versus Ostapenko
Alexandrova was three times down by a break in the first set, but three times recovered to force a tie-break.
Also, Alexandrova saved a set point in the 12th game. "I think it was tough for me to start because I was really nervous. I couldn't find the rhythm in the first couple of games," Alexandrova said. "But the longer we played, the better I felt.
Somewhere toward the end of the first set, I finally found the rhythm and I continued to keep it that way in the second set. But at the start of the match, I couldn't get used to the speed that Jelena was playing with." Alexandrova now owns a 5-2 head-to-head versus Ostapenko.
This season, Alexandrova and Ostapenko have clashed twice, with the Russian winning each of those of two meetings. Following her latest win over Ostapenko, Alexandrova insisted the Latvian is never easy to play against. "When you're playing Jelena, it's never easy.
It's always tough," Alexandrova said. "It doesn't matter if you have a 4-2 lead. She's a great player. She hits it hard. She knows how to win. Before the match, I was just preparing myself knowing it won't be easy. No matter the results, just go do your best. That was the mindset before the game."