Ostapenko clears first hurdle with champion instincts

The Latvian is one of the form players of 2024, having notched up 23 victories including titles in Adelaide and Linz. It is now up to either Tatjana Maria or Clara Tauson to try to derail the No.9 seed.

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Story of the match

Cristian, who claimed their only previous meeting at St Petersburg 2021 in straight sets, made a sharp start with angled drives dictating play for an instant break.

The world No.69 has impressed with recent third-round showings in Madrid and Rome, using her clay court groove to withstand Ostapenko's hot and cold force to lead 3-1.

However, Ostapenko stepped across the left tramline and sent a blistering backhand down the line and into the corner. That was the catalyst for the world No.11 to rattle through points with ruthless striking.

The confidence was coursing, a blazing backhand return winner secured four successive games and the set.

Cristian, on her Roland-Garros main draw debut, dug in and was rewarded for some resolute side-to-side defence to open up another 3-1 advantage.

Once again, Ostapenko clicked into a purple patch, chalking up four consecutive games to serve for victory at 5-3. But not quite.

Cristian rallied to level up, but like plenty of Ostapenko battles, the Latvian went up a gear to head through in two.

Key stats

A simple barometer to gauge Ostapenko's form is the winners to unforced errors ratio.

On Sunday the Latvian finished with 28:31, indicating plenty of firepower, but plenty of room for the No.9 seed to sharpen up.

Back in 2017, she struck 299 winners across her seven matches with an average of 43 per round. Can she replicate such a devastating attack on this trip to Paris?

A 6/7 success rate at net indicates that Ostapenko should trust her volleys and go forward even more.

Ostapenko's assessment

On how she felt about the match: "It wasn't easy at all, she's a really good player, has had really good wins, I'm just really happy how I was fighting today and never gave up.

On being back in Paris as a former champion: "It's always great to be back here, it's such a special place for me. These courts are amazing for me, it was such an amazing atmosphere.

"Of course, I'm more mature now. It's a good thing and maybe a bad thing because when I played in 2017 I was kinda fearless. I'm working to get that back. The most important thing is to play without any thoughts."

Her abiding memory from her 2017 triumph: "Probably the match point in the final when I hit the winner down the line, when my racket dropped, it was an amazing feeling. Hopefully I can win this tournament again."

On her next steps: "I just work very hard and I work on being more consistent, play my game. I won't say to win another Grand Slam, but try to play as good as I can. If I play well I think I can be a dangerous player."