Aryna Sabalenka showed respect for Jelena Ostapenko ahead of the Stuttgart final as the Belarusian acknowledged her upcoming rival's "aggressiveness" but also highlighted that she "knows" how to approach and play the match.
On Saturday, the world No. 1 routed two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini 7-5 6-4 to book a Stuttgart final spot.
In the title match, Sabalenka will face an inspired Ostapenko. En route to making the final at the event, the 24th-ranked Latvian beat Iga Swiatek and 2024 US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro.
The 27-year-old Latvian, who won her first Grand Slam title at the 2017 French Open, has firing on all cylinders this week and the top seed definitely isn't taking her for granted.
Sabalenka: Ostapenko can play very aggressive… I know the way to play in that match
"We played a couple of times, and the last meeting was on the clay. First of all, I'm aware of her shots. Yeah, she can play really aggressive. I think I know the way I have to play in that match, and I'm really looking forward. I think it's going to be very aggressive tennis from both. I'm excited for the final. Yeah, really can't wait to play," the world No. 1 said of her upcoming opponent.
So far in their careers, Sabalenka and Ostapenko have met three times and the Belarusian ended on the winning side in each of those matches. And not only that, but the 27-year-old pretty much dominated those past contests – 2019 Zhengzhou 6-1 6-1, 2023 Dubai 2-6 6-1 6-1, 2024 Rome 6-2 6-4.
It is worth mentioning that the Belarusian has already lost three finals in Stuttgart. However, it twice came against Swiatek and once against Ashleigh Barty.
Heading into this year's Stuttgart final, Sabalenka is definitely the favorite and it feels like the moment has finally come for the world No. 1 to make her breakthrough at the German event.
