Ostapenko hits 25 double faults, still tops Pliskova

Who can hit 25 double faults and still come away the winner against one of the “Ace Queens” on the WTA tour? Jelena Ostapenko.

Needing a wild card to get into the China Open main draw, Ostapenko somehow conquered her serving woes to oust the world No. 2, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, on Saturday in Beijing. The 22-year-old improved to 2-3 against Pliskova, who triumphed in Zhengzhou just under two weeks ago.

Ostapenko also went just six for 24 on break points (to Pliskova’s six for nine success rate). It’s safe to say the Latvian escaped a match she probably had no business winning when looking at the stat sheet.

Then again, when has Ostapenko cared about numbers? Her first WTA title was a Grand Slam trophy at 2017 Roland Garros, where she became the first unseeded woman to win the French Open in 84 years.