Krejcikova, Ostapenko face off in Birmingham final

BIRMINGHAM: Top two seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko will meet in the final of the Birmingham Open after coming through their semifinals in contrasting fashion on Saturday.

Krejcikova has been untouchable so far this week. The world number 12 is yet to drop a set as she eased past China’s Zhu Lin 6-3, 6-2.

“I’m really happy with the way I played today,” said the 2021 French Open champion.

“It’s always difficult to play on the grass because the game can change quickly, so I’m happy how I handled the match and that I’m in the final.”

Latvia's Ostapenko leads the head-to-head with Krejcikova 4-2. Ostapenko won their most recent meeting in straight sets on the clay of Rome earlier this year.

The 2017 Roland Garros champion Ostapenko needed 2 hours and 7 minutes to come back from a set down against Potapova in their first meeting, and reach her first Hologic WTA Tour final of the season. The Latvian came from behind after dropping the opening set to fourth seed Potapova to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

World No.17 Ostapenko and No.21 Potapova had won all of their preceding matches this week in three sets, and Saturday's semifinal continued that pattern. Ultimately, it was Ostapenko who prevailed with five breaks of serve to Potapova's three.

Ostapenko saved three set points at 5-4 in the first set, but Potapova took the opener two games later by converting her sixth set point with a forehand winner. However, Ostapenko used her own fierce forehands to build a 4-0 lead in the second set, eventually leveling the match at one set apiece.

Ostapenko earned the critical break at 3-3 in the third set, where she hit four exceptional return winners to break serve. At 5-4, a netted return by Potapova on Ostapenko's first match point sealed victory for the No.2 seed. Agencies

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