HAVING a run to a WTA Tour title like few others, Jelena Ostapenko can safely say she earned her Dubai WTA 500 trophy this week. Completing what was an outstanding week of tennis, the world number 21 knocked off Russian Veronika Kudermetova in an easy 6-0 6-4 match that lasted just 65 minutes.

WTA TOUR:

DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | WTA 500 | Hard

Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) defeated Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 6-0 6-4

Kudermetova came into the final off a walkover, which meant whilst fresh, Ostapenko was battled hardened. By comparison, the former Top 5 player had one of the more difficult runs in recent history at the 500 level, and throughly earned the title. She fended off Grand Slam winners one after the other, starting with Sofia Kenin in eh first round, then Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova and finally, Simona Halep.

Those latter three were a set up on Ostapenko, and Kvitova even had a match point against her, but the Latvian kept fighting. It steeled her for the final, which was the tipping point, taking on the weakest of her opponents in the tournament – no disrespect for the talented 31st-ranked Kudermetova – and she really strut her stuff, dominating the match from the get-go.

The first set bagel meant she had consecutive bagels after the deciding set against Halep also went without the Latvian dropping a game. It lasted jus 23 minutes as she cruised into a title-winning position. The second set was a little tougher, going a break down early before fighting back to produce a break herself and taking out that set 6-4 in 42 minutes.

“I think I played really well today,” Ostapenko said post-match. “In general, I’m really happy with the whole week, because it was very tough opponents I had to face every round.

“Today I knew was going to be a tough match, and I went on the court very focused. “I really wanted to win because I love to play in the final, but I hate to lose in the final, so I really wanted to get that title. I think my mentality was good today and I was playing well.”

In an odd quirk, the pair also faced off in the doubles final, with Kudermetova exacting her revenge. She paired up with Elise Mertens as second seeds to grab the title. But the good news for Ostapenko is that her WTA 500 win has bolstered her ranking up eight places into 13th in the world. Kudermetova moved up six places herself into number 25.