By Alberto Amalfi | Wednesday, May 17, 2023

 

No. 20 Jelena Ostapenko hammered 49 winners defeating Paula Badosa 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the Rome semifinals for the first time.

Photo credit: Getty

​Seeing Paula Badosa across the net, Jelena Ostapenko knew she was in for a red clay battle.

Striking with knockout intent, Ostapenko hammered her way into her first Rome semifinal.

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Belting 49 winners, Ostapenko beat Badosa 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to reach the final for at the Foro Italico.

​"​Paula is a great player and I know she's a fighter​,​ so I expected a great battle​," Ostapenko said​. ​"​The most important thing is to fight for every point. The match is only over when you shake hands. ​

"​Even if some games were not my way​, ​I just handled it. I think I played well in the deciding moments.​"

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​The 20th-seeded Ostapenko will face either world No. 1 Iga Swiatek or reigning Wimbledon champion and Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina for a spot in Saturday's final.

The 2017 Roland Garros champion Ostapenko converted three of her seven breaks in the final set.

A fearless ​Ostapenko came out cracking the ball down both lines. Ostapenko broke twice bursting out to a 5-1 lead.

​Ostapenko served out the opening set at 15. The explosive Latvian erupted for 18 winners in the 32-minute opening set.



Credit Badosa for continuing to battle giving Ostapenko every opportunity for her lofty level to dip.

When it did drop, Badosa was ready to pounced. Driving deep returns, Badosa broke to snatch the second set when Ostapenko netted a backhand down the line.

Continuing to punish second serves with damaging intent, Ostapenko broke to start the decider.

Swinging more freely than she had in the second set, Ostapenko saved a couple of break points then bolted her backhand down the line holding for a 2-0 lead in the decider.

Zapping an ace out wide, Ostapenko capped a love hold with a bang for a 5-3 lead.

Ostapenko jolted another biting return breaking to close out the win and secure her semifinal spot.

"First of all, thanks guys it's an amazing atmosphere and I really love to play here," Ostapenko said. "You help me a lot. This is one of my favorite tournaments. I really love playing here.

"I was never in more than in quarterfinals and now I'm finally in the semifinals. I'm enjoying my time here, it's a great place to be."