(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Jelena Ostapenko showed her respect for Venus Williams by calling the former world No 1 “a great champion” ahead of their Birmingham match. On Tuesday, No 2 seed Ostapenko defeated rising Czech star Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-1 in her Birmingham opener.
In the Birmingham round-of-16, world No 17 Ostapenko will be taking on seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams. “She’s a great champion. It’s amazing to share the court with her. I have nothing to lose. I will just try to play my best and I hope you guys will enjoy the match,” Ostapenko said of facing Williams.
Ostapenko set to face Williams for the third time
When Ostapenko, 26, and 43-year-old Williams meet in Birmingham, it will be their third meeting. At 2017 Wimbledon, Williams claimed a straight-set win over Ostapenko. That same year, Williams also defeated Ostapenko at the WTA Finals.
But going into their third meeting, Ostapenko is the clear favorite to win. On Monday, Williams defeated Camila Giorgi 7-6 (5) 4-6 7-6 (6) to clinch her second win of the season. Williams, who returned to action last week after being out for six months due to a hamstring injury, was playing Giorgi for the first time since 2018.
“I thought I played so well today, and she also played incredible. I’m so surprised she’s not No 1 in the world. There were so many moments where I just thought, ‘This match is over,’ and she would hit a shot from out of nowhere.
She pushed me to be better than what I thought I could be, and it’s great for me. I haven’t played a lot of matches, and it’s great to come through,” Williams said after the match. After surprising Giorgi, Williams will be looking to do the same against Ostapenko.
However, beating Ostapenko will definitely be easier said than done for Williams. It remains to be seen if Ostapenko will clinch her first win against Williams when they meet in Birmingham.
