ADELAIDE: Jelena Ostapenko, the former world number five, extended her winning streak in preparation for the Australian Open by securing a spot in the semi-finals of the Adelaide International. She clinched a 7-5 6-3 victory against Marta Kostyuk on Thursday.
The 12th-ranked Latvian, who claimed her first Grand Slam title at the 2017 French Open, is regaining her top form just in time for the Australian Open, commencing on January 14-28. Ostapenko, set to kick off her campaign against local hopeful Kimberley Birrell, demonstrated resilience in an intense opening set against Kostyuk, bouncing back after dropping serve in the second set.
With a 3-1 lead, she broke her opponent, securing a stylish victory and advancing to the semi-finals, where she awaits the winner between Elena Rybakina and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, 2023 Australian Open quarter-finalist Sebastian Korda secured a comfortable 6-4 6-4 win over local favorite Christopher O’Connell. In other tennis action, top seed Ben Shelton progressed to the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.
He is set to face Taro Daniel, who triumphed over Alexandre Muller with a 6-4 6-7(3) 6-3 scoreline. Unfortunately, Briton Cameron Norrie withdrew from his match against Alejandro Tabilo due to a wrist injury.
