PARIS (Reuters) – Former champion Jelena Ostapenko was knocked out of the French Open, beaten 6-4 6-3 by Spain’s Paula Badosa in the third round on Saturday.
The Latvian, who lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup in 2017, lacked control as she hit 32 winners but dished up 43 unforced errors in only one hour and 22 minutes.
Ostapenko threatened a comeback in the second set but was too inconsistent, a woeful double fault earning Badosa a match point, which she converted when the Latvian whacked a forehand wide.
Badosa, who also beat 2018 Roland Garros runner-up Sloane Stephens in the second round, was overwhelmed after causing another upset, sobbing in her towel as Ostapenko left the court.
Badosa, winner of the 2015 junior title in Paris, will next face German Laura Siegemund for her maiden appearance in the last 16 of a Grand Slam.
Her previous best performance at a major was reaching this year’s Australian Open second round.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Ian Chadband)
