Voice Over: Ostapenko: No Serious Injuries, Loves Grass Courts

In the opening round of the WTA 500 event in Eastbourne yesterday, former champion and No. 5 seed Ashleigh Ostapenko defeated qualifier Maja Minaen 7-6(3), 6-1, securing her first grass court victory of the year and advancing to the second round.

Ostapenko, who is a former tournament winner, had a remarkable run in this event between 2021 and 2022, with a nine-match winning streak. She clinched the title in 2021 and reached the final in 2022, only to lose to Kvitova and end her consecutive victories. Last year, she retired from a quarterfinal match against Gaiozzi due to an injury after a loss in the tiebreak.

This year, returning to the tournament, she expressed her affinity for grass courts, stating, “I feel like it’s perfect for me. The first time I played on grass, I couldn’t believe we could play tennis like this. It’s magical, and every year it gets better.” Despite a minor incident during the second set where she slipped and fell, Ostapenko recovered quickly, taking a medical timeout for reassurance but continuing strong to win.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the competition, with her spot filled by the lucky loser, Kaia Kanepi. Kanepi will face home wildcard Emma Raducanu in the second round, who battled past Tereza Martincova in a marathon match, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-4. Sabalenka’s withdrawal was anticipated, as she had already arrived in Wimbledon for her pre-tournament practice.