Jelena Ostapenko will break into the World top 50

Spains Carla Suarez Navarro came from a set behind against Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko to win the Qatar Open 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 at the Khalifa Tennis Complex on Saturday.

It was only her second ever WTA singles title and means she will climb five places to become the world number six, her highest ever, when the latest rankings are released tomorrow.
The hard-fought victory, over one hour and 51 minutes, was also sweet revenge for the Spaniard after she was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round last year by Ostapenko.

As her title was confirmed, a jubilant Suarez Navarro jumped into the crowd to hug her trainer and team. She receives a winner’s cheque of of $518,500. Her only previous WTA singles success was at the Portugal Open in 2014.

For Ostapenko, there was the consolation that her performance in Doha may mark a breakthrough week.

On her way to the final, she knocked out world number eight Petra Kvitova and number 21, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Ostapenko’s appearance in the final has assured she will break into the top 50 for the first time.

“It was a great week for me,” she said. “I was just trying to play how I can and play my best. It’s great (to be in the top 50) but it’s just the first step. My goal is to be even higher.”

She also picks up a cheque for $259,300, almost equal to her combined career earnings so far of just over $290,000. Ostapenko, who is trained by her mother, has said she wants to buy her first car with her winnings.

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