Iga Swiatek gives insight into differences between Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko’s playing styles after Stuttgart Open exit

Iga Swiatek fell in three sets to Jelena Ostapenko, registering her sixth consecutive defeat against the Latvian.

Iga Swiatek gives insight into differences between Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko’s playing styles after Stuttgart Open exit

Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Jose Morgado, Jimmie48 Photography, The Tennis Letter)

The tennis world was eagerly waiting for the Iga Swiatek–Jelena Ostapenko Stuttgart Open quarterfinal match, probably thinking that the Pole would finally be able to clinch a win against her. But that did not happen.

The match, which lasted for two hours and seven minutes, saw Swiatek suffer a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 defeat. It was surprisingly her sixth straight defeat to the Latvian. Ostapenko has now secured a victory over Swiatek for the first time on clay, following victories on one grass-court and four hard-court events. Following the match, Swiatek was asked to give her opinion on the difference between Ostapenko and World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka‘s playing styles.

I mean, there are many differences. Aryna plays a little bit more logical and she spins the ball, so it’s not like she smashes out of control. Jelena plays much more risky and with less spin, so, yeah, there are many differences.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Swiatek holds an 8-4 head-to-head record against the Belarusian and she could have set up a blockbuster clash with her in the final had she reached the final. Sabalenka, who is chasing her first title in Stuttgart and her third title of the season (following her win at the Brisbane International and the Miami Open), will be meeting Jasmine Paolini in the semifinal. If Sabalenka reaches the final, she will be playing her fifth final of the season.

Swiatek entered the Stuttgart Open with an 11-1 win-loss record, winning the title in 2022 and 2023, beating Sabalenka in both finals. Last year, however, she fell in the semifinals against eventual winner Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka has so far captured 19 singles titles, two of which came on clay (the 2022 and 2023 Madrid Open).

Ostapenko is now projected to meet Sabalenka in the final. But before that, she will have to lock horns with Ekaterina Alexandrova against whom, she is 5-5 in the head-to-head record.

Jelena Ostapenko calls herself a great clay-court player like Iga Swiatek after their Stuttgart Open match

Iga Swiatek‘s defeats on clay always come as a huge surprise, for no one on the WTA tour has won as many titles as her on the surface in recent years. The winner of 22 WTA titles, Swiatek who also has bagged four French Open (including three consecutive ones), lifted three of the five trophies on clay last year.

Iga Swiatek Miami Open 2025
Iga Swiatek (Image via X @JJlovesTennis)

Jelena Ostapenko, on the other hand, is the winner of eight singles titles, only one of which she bagged on clay. It’s the 2017 French Open, her first Grand Slam title she won by beating former World No.1 Simona Halep. Following the Stuttgart Open quarterfinal, Ostapenko revealed why she is always successful in beating Swiatek.

Yeah, she’s a great clay-court player, but I won French [Open], so I can say about myself the same thing…I’m really happy with the way I was fighting. Even felt like the balls were getting a bit slower when they were used.

Jelena Ostapenko said during her on-court interview

Swiatek will shift her focus to the Madrid Open next. Last year, Swiatek lifted her eighth clay-court title in the Spanish capital by saving three match points in the final against Aryna Sabalenka to avenge the 2023 Stuttgart Open final defeat. The three titles she lifted on the red dirt last year were: the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the French Open.

Since that victory at the Roland Garros, Swiatek not only failed to win another title but is yet to reach a final. The doping scandal is to be blamed as Swiatek herself stated that the entire controversy affected her badly.