Sep 3, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia (L) shakes hands with Iga Swiatek of Poland (R) after their match on day seven of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

tennis

Jelena Ostapenko Feels Iga Swiatek ‘Hates to Play Her’ After Extending Winning Streak in WTA Stuttgart Open 2025 Quarterfinal

Former Roland Garros champ extends unbeaten run to 6-0.

At the young age of 23, Iga Swiatek has achieved close to everything in the sport of tennis. Yet, the Jelena Ostapenko puzzle remains one that she cannot seem to solve. The Latvian produced another inspired performance on Saturday to beat Swiatek 6-3 3-6 6-2 and advance to the WTA Stuttgart Open 2025 semifinals. By doing so, Ostapenko now has a 6-0 record against the World No. 2.

While Swiatek is a phenomenal all-surface player, there is no doubt that her clay court game is a level above. She has won five majors in total, out of which four have come at Roland Garros. Defending champion at the Grand Slam in Paris, Iga was facing Ostapenko for the first time on clay. Incidentally, the 27-year-old is also a former French Open winner – capturing the crown in 2017.

Jelena Ostapenko Prevails Over Iga Swiatek in See-Saw Stuttgart Open 2025 Quarterfinal

As she has done on numerous occasions, Ostapenko charged to a healthy lead very early on. The World No. 24 has deployed a successful tactic of taking the ball on the rise and striking cross-court angular balls to put Swiatek in uncomfortable positions in the past. Using the same ploy, ‘Penko’ converted 100% break points to cruise into the lead.

Just like all great champions do, Swiatek bounced back from adversity. She began landing a much higher percentage of first serves, struck 3 aces as opposed to none in Set-1, and won 80% points on first serve. The Pole was able to rattle her fiery counterpart by attacking her serves more. Courtesy of an excellent serve down the T and a backhand put away, she grabbed the second set and sent the match into a decider.

Possibly riled up by the jeering crowd, Ostapenko produced a range of flat backhand winners to start the final set. Dishing out loud grunts and aggressive celebrations, the unseeded superstar left a decaying Swiatek unsettled and searching for answers. In spite of producing a defensive masterclass, the former World No. 1 did nothing but play into the hands of Ostapenko by staying on the back foot.

Ostapenko Delighted With Unbeaten Domination vs Swiatek

When Swiatek sent a forehand wide after a gruesome rally, the sixth win in six matches was signed, sealed and delivered. Asked in her post-match interview whether the Pole hates to face her or whether she likes playing her, Ostapenko was an open book with her response.

“I think both,” she said while bursting into laughter. “No but I have so much respect for her and her team, and everything she’s doing for tennis. But every time I step on the court with her, it’s another battle – I’m ready for it.” The Latvian was also asked about beating Swiatek on clay, where she has been so dominant for an extended period of time.

Ostapenko d. Swiatek 6-3 3-6 6-2

Unreal.

Jelena beats Iga AGAIN.

But this time, she did it on a clay court where Iga had an 11-1 record.

She now leads the head to head 6-0.

✅1st Stuttgart SF
✅24th top 10 win
✅3rd top 10 win of 2025
✅2nd win over Iga in 2025

Ouch…

🇱🇻🤍 pic.twitter.com/czqtvVcGYh
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2025

“Yeah you know she’s a great clay court player as well, but I won French [Roland Garros] so I can about myself the same thing. I’m really happy with the way I was fighting. I felt the balls were getting a bit slower when they were used and I’m glad that I was fighting.”

Ostapenko can’t bask in her glorious success for too long, as a semifinal tussle against Ekaterina Alexandrova (who beat Charleston winner Pegula) awaits on Sunday.

Ekaterina Alexandrova

Iga Swiatek

Jelena Ostapenko

Jessica Pegula

Stuttgart Open

Tennis

WTA

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.