Ostapenko: I just try to enjoy the match

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Now ranked tenth in the world, Jelena Ostapenko defeated World No. 1 Garbine Muguruza on Thursday night but was beaten Friday by Ashleigh Barty in the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open.

Most tennis players start their career by winning small tournaments and work their way up, but Ostapenko didn't do that. She started by winning the French Open for her first title on tour.

"I started playing the French Open with no expectations, just to play every match as good as I can. First round was a tough one, and every match was better and better and I got my confidence, and then I was already in the final."

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia serves in the Wuhan Open semi-final against Ashleigh Barty of Australia on September, Wuhan. /Getty Images

In the final on the red clay of Roland Garros, the 20-year-old Latvian was facing World No. 2 Simona Halep. And she was a set and 3-love down.

"I was just trying to enjoy the match and to show my best. I had nothing to lose, Simona is a great player. So I just played very aggressively and then it turned my way. So I won my first title, and it was a Grand Slam. I was really really happy."

After that, the Latvian won the Korea Open for her second WTA title. Already so famous and so young, the Grand Slam champion has noticed the changes in her hometown and her own life.

"I'm very famous now in Latvia now, all the tennis clubs are full, and there are no available courts. If I go somewhere on the streets a lot of people will recognize me and ask for some autographs."

The Latvian’s focus is now on qualifying for the Tour Finals in Singapore.

1054km