The first set ended 6-3 in favor of Ostapenko, as it had in Doha in February. Yet despite all of her previous defeats, Swiatek wasn’t showing any signs of capitulation. She was fist-pumping even when she was down 1-5, and she managed to slow Ostapenko’s momentum by getting one of the breaks back. Swiatek had the energy; she just needed an opening.
Ostapenko finally gave it to her at 1-1 in the second set. With Swiatek serving at 30-30, Ostapenko rifled one of her customary winning returns past her to reach break point. At 30-40, Swiatek missed her first serve, spun in her second, and watched helplessly as Ostapenko set up for another blistering forehand return. This time, though, the ball flew long. Finally, she had failed to punish the Pole when she had the chance.
Swiatek capitalized on the rare opportunity right away. She held for 2-1, broke at love for 1-3, and broke again at 3-4. Swiatek’s serve was no longer sitting up, and her forehand held sway in the rallies. It was Ostapenko’s turn to double fault and spray ground strokes.
