Unseeded Latvian teen Ostapenko into 1st Slam semi at French
PARIS — Suddenly a Grand Slam semifinalist for the first time, Jelena Ostapenko sounded a lot like the carefree teenager she’ll be for only a bit longer.
Ostapenko, an unseeded 19-year-old from Latvia, displayed unbridled joy after using the go-for-it strokes of someone too bold to know better to beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the French Open on a rainy Tuesday.
She cracked jokes at her news conference, then giggled at her own words. As Ostapenko left the room, she turned to her agent and whispered with a wide, proud smile, “My answers are funny.” This is all so new to her — and she seemed as surprised as anyone to be where she is.
“I mean, of course, when I came here, I didn’t expect I’m going to be in the semis, but I was playing better and better every match,” the 47th-ranked Ostapenko said. “So I think if I keep it up, I think anything can happen.”