Korea Open 2022: Jelena Ostapenko to face Ekaterina Alexandrova for title after Emma Raducanu retires

Latvian tennis player Jelena Ostapenko has reached the finals of the Hana Bank Open in the Korea Open. Ostapenko will face Russian player Ekaterina Alexandrova on Sunday. 2022 final will be the Latvian’s second time in the ultimate game of the Korea Open, which she reached after her semifinal opponent Emma Raducanu was forced to retire.

During the semifinal of Hana Bank Open 2022, Ostapenko was handed a walkover with 4-6, 6-3, 3-0 after Emma Raducanu suffered an injury during the third set. The British player Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 10th, suffered an injury to the left glute. Before her forced exit, Raducanu enjoyed a successful run, with three consecutive victories in the tournament.

The semifinal between Ostapenko and Raducanu opened with blistering intensity, with the Latvian initially taking a 2-0 lead. Emma Raducanu bounced back strongly and ended the first game with a 4-6 lead. Ostapenko took up the last two points in the game and carried the momentum to the second game, in which she ended the lead with 6-3.




The third game also saw the Latvian leading the way before Raducanu was forced to retire due to a left glute injury. The 19-year-old British star player (Emma Raducanu) took an injury timeout, following which the game resumed. However, following Ostapenko’s blitzkrieg in the third round, Raducanu decided to retire.

The other semifinal saw Alexandrova dominating German player and Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria. The Russian scored 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal, and reached her second final of the season. The Hana Bank Open 2022 final will take place on Sunday, September 25. The two finalists met last in Madrid earlier this year when Alexandrova emerged victorious with 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Ekaterina Alexandrova is currently ranked 24th in the global ranking, while Jelena Ostapenko stands at no.19. Sunday’s match will be the two rivals’ fifth clash, their previous four ending in two apiece.

FAQs

• When is the Korea Open final?
The Korea Open final will take place on Sunday, September 25, between Jelena Ostapenko and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

• Who won the last game between the finalists?
The two finalists last met at the Madrid Open, and Alexandrova defeated Ostapenko 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.