Jelena Ostapenko beats Barbora Krejcikova to claim first title of 2023 in Birmingham, Petra Kvitova wins Berlin Open

25.06.2023 - 17:37 eurosport.com

Jelena Ostapenko won her first title of the season as she defeated Barbora Krejcikova at the Birmingham Classic, while Petra Kvitova won the Berlin Open.

The Latvian, seeded No. 2, defeated her No.1 seeded Czech opponent 7-6(8) 6-4 in the final. Ad There were no breaks in the opening set, but Ostapenko leaned on her power to give her a breakthrough in the tie-break.

Krejcikova reeled her back in but ultimately could not resist her opponent. WTA BerlinOstapenko ousts Williams in Birmingham thriller, Gauff and Sabalenka out in Berlin22/06/2023 AT 11:09 In the second set, Ostapenko raced to a 5-1 lead that was quickly cut back to 5-4, but Krejcikova had left it took late as Ostapenko held her serve.

Both women were competing not just for the title and ranking points, but in order to ensure they arrive at Wimbledon in the coming days in the best possible form on grass.

Petra Kvitova Barbora Krejcikova Jelena Ostapenko Donna Vekic Germany Czech Republic state Indiana Berlin Latvia South Korea county Williams Seoul

Petra Kvitova reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for only the second time since triumphing at the All England Club nine years ago with a 6-3 7-5 win over Serbian qualifier Natalija Stevanovic in a rain-disrupted encounter on Saturday.

Wimbledon 2023: Petra Kvitova says win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich was 'hell' after insect swarm

Petra Kvitova spoke about the «hell» of being plagued by insects in her Wimbledon second-round win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Czech made light work of Sasnovich with a straight-sets 6-2 6-2 victory on Friday, but the conditions were anything but comfortable for the World No. 9.

Petra Kvitova, Karolina Muchova tipped to impress at Wimbledon by Barbara Schett as Elena Rybakina defends title

Barbara Schett believes there are four favourites for the Wimbledon women’s title — but has tipped Karolina Muchova and Petra Kvitova to also challenge. Muchova made the French Open final a few weeks ago and is a two-time quarter-finalist at Wimbledon. Ad She hasn’t played a grass event ahead of competing at the All England Club, but Eurosport expert Schett has been impressed with her game.

Ons Jabeur beats Jasmine Paolini for first grass win in Eastbourne, Petra Kvitova withdraws ahead of Wimbledon

Ons Jabeur won her first grass match of the season as she beat Jasmine Paolini at the Eastbourne International. Last year’s Wimbledon runner-up was beaten in her grass opener in Berlin the previous week. Ad However, Jabeur looked improved against Paolini as she won 6-3 6-2.

Ostapenko believes the crowd made the difference at LTA's Rothesay Classic Birmingham

Jelena Ostapenko hailed the decisive support of the crowd as she won the LTA's Rothesay Classic Birmingham with a straight sets victory over Barbora Krejcikova.Â Ostapenko beat her fellow former French Open champion 7-6(8) 6-4, edging a mammoth tiebreak before eventually clinching the second.Â Ad It is the only match the Latvian hasÂ wonÂ in two sets all week, with all four of her matches en route to the final, including a hard-fought battle against Venus Williams, going the distance. TennisBroom and Monday lead British success on Day 1 at Wimbledon Qualifying10 MINUTES AGO Another decider looked possible when she failed toÂ serve for the title at 5-2 in the second setÂ but Ostapenko regained her composure to serve out the match.Â «Every match was a really tough one but it is great preparation for Wimbledon,» she said.

Elena Rybakina’s Wimbledon title defence hit by Eastbourne withdrawal

Elena Rybakina faces a race to be sufficiently fit and healthy for her Wimbledon title defence after withdrawing from the Eastbourne International hours before she was due to contest her first-round match.