Jelena Ostapenko isn’t just chasing the title in Qatar, but making statements. Despite having a rough start to the season with only one win in Adelaide against Magdalena Frech, Ostapenko has shown immense potential throughout the tournament in Doha, overpowering skilled players like Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, and Ons Jabeur, on her way to the final. She is now all set to face an American opponent, whom she met in the same tournament three years back but in R32. Will the Latvian stay unbeaten and clinch the title or a twist in the tale is about to come?

Ostapenko’s performance in the semis against Iga Swiatek must have given her a lot of confidence, even though she had a flawless record against the Pole even before the tournament. It was the fifth occasion in five matches that Ostapenko ended up beating Swiatek. The 27-year-old is now the only player in the world who has played at least two matches against Swiatek and has still maintained a winning record. But can she still take her game a notch further up in the final? Well, she definitely thinks so.

Ostapenko’s statement ahead of the Qatar Open final has got the fans talking. “I’m still saving the best version of my game for the final, I haven’t shown everything,” Ostapenko said to Canal+ Sport. She added later, “I was calm that the improvement in form was simply a matter of time. It wasn’t even about the number of wins, but about the work I had done before the start of the season. We did a great job and we knew that its effects would come.”

Ostapenko had a decent start to the last season as well, as she made the quarterfinals in Brisbane, before winning the 2024 Adelaide International. But her form gradually went downhill. Although she made it to the Wimbledon quarters, she couldn’t get past the Round of 16 in various other tournaments.

However, Ostapenko seems to have regained her confidence after dominating three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the Qatar semifinals. “Today when I went on the court I was pretty confident that I could beat her because we played a lot of matches and I kind of know how to play against her. I was just focusing on myself and knew what I had to do,” the Latvian said post-match.

She also revealed her happiness about her participation in the tournament. “I feel like this court has a special energy and it was always helping me. As I said, everything started for me here on this court. It’s really great to come here. They host us amazing here, the atmosphere on this court, the fans, everything. The facilities are even better now, I’m just really pleased to be here,” she added.

Ostapenko made it to the Qatar Open final in 2016 as well, where she eventually lost to Carla Suárez Navarro. Eight years later, the Latvian has the opportunity to make up for that loss. Time will tell if she will be able to, but on the flip side, her opponent Amanda Anisimova is also quite pumped for the final.

Jelena Ostapenko’s opponent Amanda Anisimova reveals “working very hard” for Qatar

“I have been working very hard,” Anisimova emphasized ahead of the final. She credited her team’s hard work for her progress and expressed her satisfaction with her form. “Both my team and I have done great work in the preseason, so I believe it is paying off here. I am very happy with the results and the performance I have been able to achieve here in Doha this week,” the American added.

Anisimova found her confidence after beating the likes of Marta Kostyuk, Leylah Fernandez, Victoria Azarenka, and Paula Badosa in Doha. “I have been facing great opponents, and to have won all these matches has been fantastic. I am super happy to be in the final, I have been enjoying this adventure in Doha a lot, the crowd has been amazing,” the 23-year-old remarked.

She also reflected on her clash against Ostapenko three years back in the same tournament and said, “It was a very tough match, I think she likes the courts here a lot, she has been playing incredibly, so it will be challenging, but I am really looking forward to it. Finals are always fun. I’m excited.” 

Amanda Anisimova and Jelena Ostapenko’s clash will take place tomorrow, dated February 16. Who are you backing to win? Let us know in the comments below.