HUNT FOR FIRST MAJOR: Halep, who was denied a maiden slam in the 2014 Roland Garros final, in this year's title decider faces unseeded 20-year-old Ostapenko, who has never even won a tour-level title, let alone a major. PHOTO: AFP
Halep marked herself out as a favourite for the title at Roland Garros after winning in Madrid and finishing runner-up in Rome, but a tumble in the Italian Open final left her with ankle ligament damage and cast doubt over whether she would play in Paris.
'Frenchmen a bunch of underachievers at Roland Garros'
The 25-year-old has since dismissed concerns over her fitness and finds herself one win away from a memorable maiden Slam title triumph that would also see her supplant Angelique Kerber at the top.
When the OOP is just that good. 👍
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017
See when all the Friday action begins: https://t.co/ZB5vmnqnmv #RG17 pic.twitter.com/pONrT9DGHs
"It's a big challenge, a big chance. I think I have the game. I have the mentality to win, but it's going to be tough," said Halep, who lost to Maria Sharapova in three sets in the 2014 French Open final. "I learned many things during the years, not just after that final. Also semi-finals in Wimbledon. Then US Open against [Flavia] Pennetta before that match.
The Romanian feels her game has evolved to another level since her defeat at same stage in 2014. "My game is stronger, and it's different," she said. "I think more about the game, and I play smarter, in my opinion, and also physically. I'm much better, stronger. Attitude better. I think I'm different player, and I'm much stronger than 2014."
Third seed Halep stormed into the quarter-finals without dropping a set, but she faced match point against Elina Svitolina before pulling off a miraculous recovery from 3-6, 1-5 down to reach the last four.
Relive the moment Jelena Ostapenko became the first Latvian woman to reach a major singles final. 👀📽#RG17 pic.twitter.com/zwQ2HoF8Bg
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017
Halep then beat Karolina Pliskova, who would have replaced Kerber as the new number one had she made the final, for the fifth time in six meetings to set up an intriguing clash with unseeded Ostapenko.
"I never played against her. I don't know what to expect from her," said Halep, bidding to become just the fifth player to win both the girls' and women's singles titles at Roland Garros.
About her younger opponent, Halep continued: "She's much younger than me. Of course she has nothing to lose. But I can feel that I'm in the same position. I played once before here, and I was very close to winning it. If it happens this time, it's going to be great. If not, I will have many years ahead to work and to play some more finals."
Ostapenko's run is all the more remarkable given her third-round exit at this year's Australian Open represented her best previous Grand Slam performance.
Electric Sliiiiiiide.⚡️#RG17 pic.twitter.com/WPYXXJwlNU
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017
She is the first Latvian to reach a Slam final, going one step further than Ernests Gulbis in 2014 when a young Ostapenko was in his players' box as he beat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals in Paris.
"When I came here, of course I didn't expect I would be in the final," said Ostapenko, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday by overpowering Timea Bacsinszky in the semi-finals. "But then, like, first match was a tough match, as well, and I won it. I think it kind of gave me confidence. Then every match I was playing better and better and I got my confidence."
Feisty, fiery, fearless.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2017
Jelena Ostapenko left nothing to chance against Bacsinszky. Watch highlights from her historic SF win. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/8cuBiLCFF0
Ostapenko lost her opening match on her Roland Garros main draw debut a year ago, but the world number 47 is hunting a victory that would see her become the lowest-ranked champion in tournament history.
She is also hoping to win a maiden tour-level title at a Slam — a feat last accomplished by Gustavo Kuerten at the French Open in 1997 on the same day Ostapenko was born.
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