Ostapenko Upsets Swiatek as Sabalenka Advances in Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Germany – The 48th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix showcased thrilling matches on Saturday, April 19, as top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko advanced to the semifinals at the sold-out Porsche Arena. While Sabalenka triumphed effortlessly over Elise Mertens, Ostapenko delivered a stunning upset over defending champion Iga Swiatek.

In the opening quarterfinal, unseeded Ekaterina Alexandrova stunned No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula with a decisive 6-0, 6-4 victory, marking her first semifinal in this prestigious event. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy after winning the first set so quickly,” said Alexandrova, currently ranked No. 22. “I’ve never played as well on clay as I have here.”

Following Alexandrova’s match, Ostapenko faced off against Swiatek. The Latvian, known for her powerful baseline game, registered her sixth consecutive victory against the world No. 2, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. “I think she hates playing me, and I love it,” Ostapenko remarked, beaming. This marked Ostapenko’s first semifinal appearance in Stuttgart after multiple attempts.

In the other quarterfinal, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who received a walkover to the quarterfinals, won her first match of the tournament against Mertens with a score of 6-4, 6-1. “I’m super happy with the win. Luckily enough I was finally able to get on court,” Sabalenka expressed. She demonstrated composure after a shaky start and aimed to secure her first title in Stuttgart after three previous runner-up finishes.

Jasmine Paolini capped off the quarterfinals by eliminating fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 for her first matchup victory against the American. “I told myself, you have to keep going, and it worked,” Paolini stated after her impressive performance, which showcased her confidence and aggressive style.

The semifinals promise to deliver high-stakes drama as Ostapenko is set to clash with Alexandrova, while Sabalenka will face Paolini. The matches are scheduled to start at 1:00 PM on Sunday. The day will conclude with the doubles final featuring top seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe against Alexandrova and Shuai Zhang, who have also made their mark in the tournament.

The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix continues to solidify its reputation as a premier event in women’s tennis, with exciting performances from both seasoned champions and emerging stars. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the quest for the coveted Porsche Macan Turbo, awarded to the champion.