Ostapenko defeats Cristian in French Open first round

Former champion and ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko defeated Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 6-4 7-5 on Sunday, advancing to the second round of the French Open.

The Latvian won her only Grand Slam title in Paris in 2017, but has yet to advance beyond the third round at Roland Garros.

"Of course I'm more mature now, it's a good thing and maybe it's a bad thing a bit," Ostapenko said after the win.

"When I played in 2017 I was kind of fearless so I'm working to get that thing back and the most important thing is just to play without any thoughts."

Ostapenko lost serve in the first game and failed to force a break point until trailing 3-2. Cristian held on to her two-game lead before Ostapenko came back in style.

"It was not an easy match. I think in general I played well just in games I was rushing a bit too much," Ostapenko said.

Ostapenko won the next four games to win the first set, but the Romanian broke first again in the second set and led 3-2. However, Ostapenko rallied and broke twice to lead 5-3 and have the opportunity to serve for the match.

Cristian was not about to give up, and despite Ostapenko saving three break points, the 25-year-old Romanian, making her French Open debut, broke and then held serve to tie the set at 5-5.

Ostapenko then served to love, putting the pressure back on Cristian, and the Latvian finished in style, breaking to love as the Romanian double faulted out of the tournament.

"She's a great player, she was fighting for every ball and she was playing really well, but it was more about me, as I said I was rushing and first rounds are always tricky," the Latvian said.

SportsLigue