Debutant Stearns sensationally knocks out Ostapenko in round two

Debutant Peyton Sterns shocked 17th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko by defeating her in 3 sets 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old was composed, well disciplined and put her much more experienced opponent under constant pressure, that eventually paid off.

“Sometimes I surprise myself with how lethal my ball comes off (the racket) sometimes for my opponents, and how it really puts them in trouble,” Stearns said after the game. “Maybe I didn’t realize that earlier on, but playing against top players, I realize that it is true. It comes off pretty heavy and big and that’s how I play. Definitely helps with confidence.”

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Ostapenko becomes the latest victim of the so-called favorites being eliminated by the underdogs. No.5 seed Carolina Garcia was knocked out by Anna Blinkova and 17 of the 32-seeded women have already crashed out.

With Ostapenko’s early exit it means Iga Swiatek remains the only player in the women section, who has lifted the French Open title.