Jelena Ostapenko, the tournament’s 24th seed, successfully ended a challenging chapter in her career on Tuesday night. The Latvian star secured her spot in the second round of the Australian Open with a solid 6-4, 6-4 win over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova.
Ending the Drought
For the 28-year-old former French Open champion, this victory represents a major psychological hurdle cleared. Ostapenko arrived in Melbourne looking to snap a damaging six-match losing streak that had followed her since the latter part of 2025. Her 2026 season had gotten off to a rocky start as well, with no wins on the board following a second-round loss in Brisbane and a retirement during play in Adelaide.
A Return to Form
Despite the lack of recent match play, Ostapenko stayed true to the aggressive, high-risk style that has defined her tenure on the tour. Although she hadn’t recorded a win since the 2025 US Open, she appeared composed and in control against the world number 73. By utilizing her powerful, flat groundstrokes to dominate from the baseline, she proved that her signature confidence is finding its way back.
The Challenge Ahead
With the first round behind her, Ostapenko turns her attention to her next opponent, China’s Xinyu Wang. The 24-year-old Wang, currently ranked 43rd in the world, presents a formidable challenge. She enters the second round in excellent form, having efficiently defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-3 earlier on Tuesday.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
