Jelena Ostapenko: Could she retain her French Open title?

Because of the shock nature of Jelena Ostapenko’s French Open triumph in 2017, many people view the prospect of the Latvian going back-to-back in Paris as even more unlikely.

Yet perhaps it’s not as preposterous as one might think.

Ostapenko is riding high. In her first outing on clay in 2018, against Russia in the Fed Cup, she delivered two resounding performances, following up her 7-5 6-4 win over Ekaterina Makarova with a 7-5 6-1 dismissal of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a shot-making clinic that reminded everyone of what makes the 20-year-old so dangerous – even on a slow red clay court.

Former top-five player Jelena Dokic, who watched Ostapenko power through the field at Roland Garros last year, said it would be unwise to dismiss her chances 12 months on.

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“She’s actually been quite consistent even though her game is a little bit what people have called crazy,” Dokic told Tennismash.

“She can hit like 75 winners, but she’s gonna have 80 unforced errors. But she manages that risk because she’s got a lot of winners. I think you can’t count her out. Although I do think though it’ll be very different for her coming back this year. There will be a bit of pressure.”

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Watch 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko power her way to a Roland-Garros title. ???? #RG17 pic.twitter.com/0hiC4J3s3K

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

The youngster may well be able to manage it. After all, the consistency Dokic refers to is all the more impressive given the slumps several other first-time major winners have endured following their breakthroughs.

After leaving Paris, Ostapenko won 19 of her remaining 28 matches that season, a record that included a Wimbledon quarterfinal, her second career title in Seoul, back-to-back semifinals at big Chinese events in Wuhan and Beijing, and her debut at the WTA Finals in Singapore.

After a dip in form at the beginning of 2018, she has hit her stride again, winning eight of her past 10 matches and pushing eventual champion Karolina Pliskova to three tight sets in their Stuttgart quarterfinal in her most recent outing on clay.

Ostapenko is now entrenched in the top five, a position also attained by Dokic back in 2002, and the Australian sees a bit of herself in the way Ostapenko plays the game.

“I’m not sure I hit the ball quite as flat as she does. I had a little bit of cover or top or shape on my ball, especially the second part of my career. But we’re both similar,” Dokic said.

“I had a great backhand, she’s got a great backhand. Great angles and depth, as well.

“Certainly also I think (there’s a likeness) in the approach, and the intensity. But I do still think she plays a bit a bit flatter than me. (Her flat style) is quite extreme.”

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Australian coach David Taylor, who has worked with Ostapenko since the beginning of the season, has also remarked on her aggressive style.

Yet he believes it’s her mentality and strategic nous that are perhaps the most notable – and, it could be said, often underrated – elements of her game.

“I’m really impressed with her sense of belonging at that level. When you think about it, she hasn’t been at the top level for that long. There’s no doubt in her mind that’s where she belongs, and I think that’s a trait that’s uncommon,” Taylor said.

First ever boxing session today, had so much fun and enjoyed it a lot ?????????????? pic.twitter.com/NbZSwt2d3s

— Jelena Ostapenko (@JelenaOstapenk8) February 26, 2018

“To get out there and win a Grand Slam the way she did was just phenomenal and a breath of fresh air for tennis. In practice … she’s got an extraordinary ability to come up with amazing shots, and that’s always fun as a coach.

“She’s quite astute of other players’ weaknesses. In women’s tennis the key is to be able to be lucid and calm in those moments of stress to see those things. I’ve coached players that have been incredibly clear about tactics, and 30 seconds before walking onto court have forgotten everything because stress has taken over.

“Having such a good direction from early on with her mum (as primary coach), I think has given her an incredible step ahead of a lot of other people.”

Ostapenko will play the prestigious claycourt events in Madrid in Rome in the build-up to her French Open title defence.

Roland Garros begins on 27 May.