Ostapenko ousts Babos for first Miami win

MIAMI, FL, USA - Jelena Ostapenko broke new ground at the Miami Open on Friday, defeating Timea Babos, 6-4, 6-4 to score her first main draw win at the Premier Mandatory event.

"It’s not an easy match," Ostapenko said. "First matches are always very tough, especially when you’re not playing your best tennis. But I was fighting to the end, and I’m really happy that I won the match."

Unseeded in Miami a year ago, Ostapenko lost her main draw debut to qualifier Madison Brengle, but flipped the script as the No.6 seed a year later.

The French Open champion came from a break down in the second set to advance in one hour, 35 minutes, winning the last three games from 4-3 down.

"I think the most important thing was that I fought for every ball, and winning in the end gives you more confidence. Confidence comes from matches like that.

"Tomorrow I have to play doubles, so I’ll be able to practice a bit before I play. I’ll prepare as good as I can for my next match, because I believe I’ll have to play a lefty."

That lefty is Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia, who upset No.31 seed Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2. But before that match takes place, Ostapenko will reunite with countrywoman Anastasija Sevastova for a must-watch first round doubles match with No.2 seeds Latisha Chan and Chan Hao-Ching.

Ostapenko won her first WTA titles on the doubles circuit last year ahead of her initial Roland Garros triumph, capturing a pair of Premier titles at the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

"Sometimes it’s fun and it’s very good for both of us; we can play doubles and that will help us in Fed Cup. We’ll have more matches that way, and in general I enjoy playing doubles. It’s something different."