Ostapenko comeback sees off Rogers

Jelena Ostapenko came back from the brink to defeat American Shelby Rogers 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Wednesday night at Indian Wells, to reach her first WTA 1000 semifinal in three years.

Ostapenko won five of the first six games as Rogers struggled, winning only one point on her second serve in the opening set.

As the intensity of Ostapenko’s start cooled, Rogers fought her way back into the set, rallying from 1-5 down to win the next three games before Ostapenko broke her again for the set.

Rogers then won 9 of 10 second-serve return points and broke Ostapenko’s serve four times to claim the second set.

The turning point came after a series of errors from both players.

Ostapenko twice had a break chance and blew it as Rogers took a 3-1 lead.

But the Latvian saved a fourth break point and was back in it at 2-3, and from there she took control to take out the match and reach the last four, where she will meet Victoria Azarenka.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Sinner feels his way through Madrid as injury threaten

Top seed Jannik Sinner is taking his progress at the Madrid Masters step by step…

5 hours ago

Nadal exits Madrid in an emotional last match

Rafael Nadal played his final match at the Madrid Masters on Tuesday with the king…

7 hours ago

Hip problem under control as Sinner reaches quarter-finals

Jannik Sinner's existing hip pain problem proved to be a minor distraction as the top…

22 hours ago

Alcaraz survives match-point scare to stay alive in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz escaped upset danger after blowing four match points but squeezing through a final-set…

22 hours ago

Medvedev completes Masters matched set

Daniil Medvedev's 7-6 (3), 6-4 trip into the Madrid quarter-finals on Tuesday completed a career matched set…

22 hours ago

Djoko dad in hospital after fall: Serb report

Novak Djokovic has rushed to a Belgrade hospital to be with his father after Srdjan…

1 day ago