Review: Plenty to be excited about in TopSpin 2K25, which successfully recreates the joy (and frustration) of tennis

Rising star Jelena Ostapenko will blow out the candles to her teenage years on Thursday, when she steps on the court for her first semifinal at the French Open. Oddly enough, her opponent Timea Bacsinszky will also celebrate her (28th) birthday. There will be plenty of cake to go around but only one final berth spot to gift.

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Jelena Ostapenko and @TimeaOfficial will play their @rolandgarros semifinal on their birthday (8 June). Who will have their cake and eat it? pic.twitter.com/Kf6392DdMc
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) June 6, 2017

There must be something magical about celebrating birthdays in early June (fellow semifinalist Rafael Nadal celebrated his birthday on June 3). Ostapenko's birthday in 1997 presents a very interesting coincidence.

Via @fiercetennis

Ostapenko could win her first tour-level title at French Open.

Last to do it? Kuerten on 6/8/97. DAY OSTAPENKO WAS BORN.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 6, 2017

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Ostapenko is the first female Latvian to reach a major semifinal. The first male to do so, also at the French Open, was Ernests Gulbis. A 16-year-old Ostapenko was a guest in his box for his historic quarterfinal win:

#tb When Ostapenko was at RG2014 QF as a fan in Ernests Gulbis player's box. Kid growing up fast 😆 . pic.twitter.com/MzpUFK9QOG
— Jess 🙊 (proper adult) (@jessica4stein) June 6, 2017

There’s a lot to love about Ostapenko’s flat powerful strokes and her confidence, but her expressive faces are most priceless of all:

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Ostapenko in press by @ErikaTanaka_ , the official photographer of beautiful Latvians 😘 pic.twitter.com/WcShJo0mZQ
— Jess 🙊 (proper adult) (@jessica4stein) June 4, 2017

Ostapenko will serve for a place in the semi-finals. Is up 4-6, 6-2, 5*-2 v Wozniacki #RG17 pic.twitter.com/P31QNDerMt
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) June 6, 2017

Serve-Face: Jelena Ostapenko in action at @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/wCRyw2pnEB
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2017

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FIRST Grand Slam Semifinal!

Jelena Ostapenko makes 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 comeback win over Wozniacki!

Plays @TimeaOfficial next! #RG17 pic.twitter.com/ny9xMZVSfw
— wta (@WTA) June 6, 2017

Jelena Ostapenko sort Caroline Wozniacki et se qualifie en demi-finale https://t.co/Tkb9xxrbSg via @lequipe
— Ali kenpachi (@Dico93) June 6, 2017

The world No. 47 is already showing her charismatic personality as she wins more and more big matches. Thursday’s semifinal will unwrap at least a few more emotions.

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Jelena Ostapenko, 19, into 1st Slam semi with 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Wozniacki. She'll face Timea Bacsinszky on June 8—the birthday of both. pic.twitter.com/xbRL3mA2RS
— TENNIS (@Tennis) June 6, 2017

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