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Frustrated Sabalenka falls short against rampant Ostapenko in Stuttgart

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Jelena Ostapenko stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win the Stuttgart Open on Monday. 

Ostapenko, who beat Iga Swiatek in the quarters, emerged a 6-4 6-1 victor in the final, clinching her first clay court title since winning the French Open back in 2017. 

The Latvian set the tone with a break of serve in the opening game, earning another three break points at 4-2 up but could not convert any of them. 

Sabalenka roared back to level the scores with a break of her own, only for Ostapenko to break back in the following game before claiming the first set. 

The top seed was broken again in the first game of the second set before dropping serve on a further two occasions in an error-strewn display.

She showcased her frustration at 4-1 down, slamming her racquet to the court and subsequently receiving a warning.

Another erratic Sabalenka service game handed Ostapenko two championship points, and she made sure of the win with a sensational cross-court forehand winner.

"I'm really happy today," Ostapenko said. "It is great to share the court with you [Sabalenka], you are such a great champion."

Sabalenka has now lost in the final of the Stuttgart Open on four occasions.

"Congratulations Jelena on a great week. You were a better player than me today and that's it," she said. "It's not for me every year [here] but maybe next year."

Data Debrief: Ostapenko the giant killer

Arriving in Stuttgart unseeded, Ostapenko produced a sensational run on her way to the title, producing some excellent displays against the very best in the women's game.

Indeed, she became the first player to defeat both Sabalenka and Swiatek at a single WTA event on clay.

Ostapenko is also the first player to defeat the WTA's top two players en route to a tournament victory on clay since Serena Williams, who beat Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova at the Madrid Open back in 2012. 

The 27-year-old is now 9-9 in WTA Tour-level singles finals.