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Luka Doncic and Mavericks spoil Victor Wembanyama’s debut, beat the Spurs 126-119

Dallas Mavericks' Slovenian point guard Luca Doncic drives past San Antonio Spurs' French forward-center Victor Wembanyama (2nd L) for two during the NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. (AFP)
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Updated 26 October 2023
AP
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Luka Doncic and Mavericks spoil Victor Wembanyama’s debut, beat the Spurs 126-119

  • Dallas forced two turnovers in the final minute to preserve the victory
  • Kristaps Porzingis made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:29 left and scored 30 points in a strong Celtics debut
  • Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 11 rebounds and Boston defeated New York
Updated 26 October 2023
AP

SAN ANTONIO: Luka Doncic had 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and the Dallas Mavericks spoiled the NBA debut of No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama, beating the San Antonio Spurs 126-119 on Wednesday night.

Dallas forced two turnovers in the final minute to preserve the victory. Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving added 22 points and Grant Williams added 17 points in the season opener for both teams.

Devin Vassell had 23 points to lead San Antonio. Keldon Johnson added 17 and Wembanyama had 15 points.

Wembanyama scored nine points in the final seven minutes after struggling with foul trouble in the fourth quarter. The rookie was 6 for 9 from the field and had five rebounds and two assists and a block in 23 minutes.

PACERS 143 WIZARDS 120

Bruce Brown scored 24 points and made a career-high six 3-pointers in his Pacers debut, leading Indiana to a record-breaking victory over Washington.

It was the highest scoring total for a season opener in team history, surpassing the 140 they had against Brooklyn in 2017. Indiana fell two points short of setting the franchise scoring mark for points in a home game.

All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton had 20 points and 11 assists as eight Pacers had double-digit scoring totals.

For Washington, it was an ugly start to the post-Bradley Beal era. While The Wizards led 39-34 after one quarter, they fell apart offensively over the final three and got overstretched defensively.

Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points and Jordan Poole added 18 as Washington was 9 of 24 on 3s.

MAGIC 116 ROCKETS 86

Cole Anthony had 20 points and eight rebounds, and Orlando beat Houston in the season opener for both teams.

Anthony went 8 for 12 from the field and played 24 minutes in a reserve role. Franz Wagner scored 17 points for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero finished with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks each scored 14 points in their first game with Houston. Center Alperen Senguin added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

HORNETS 116 HAWKS 110

P.J. Washington scored 25 points, rookie Brandon Miller provided a huge spark with eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and Charlotte held on to defeat Atlanta.

Terry Rozier added 24 points for the Hornets and LaMelo Ball shook off a rough first half and finished with 15 points and 10 assists. Mark Williams chipped in with 13 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte.

Trae Young had 23 points to lead the Hawks, but shot 1 for 9 from 3-point range. Jalen Johnson had a career-high 21 points.

CELTICS 108 KNICKS 104

Kristaps Porzingis made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:29 left and scored 30 points in a strong Celtics debut, Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 11 rebounds and Boston defeated New York.

Porzingis finished with eight rebounds and four blocked shots against his original NBA team, showing why his new one is considered one of the NBA Finals favorites after acquiring the 7-foot-3 center and Jrue Holiday during the offseason.

Holiday scored nine points. Derrick White had 12 for the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley each scored 24 points for the Knicks, who started slowly but opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run to take their first lead of the game. They couldn’t hold on against one of the NBA’s best teams.

RAPTORS 97 TIMBERWOLVES 94

Dennis Schroder scored 22 points in his Toronto debut, O.G. Anunoby had 20 and the Raptors gave new coach Darko Rajakovic a victory in his first game by beating Minnesota.

Scottie Barnes had 17 points, Pascal Siakam added 15 and Jakob Poeltl grabbed 11 rebounds for the Raptors.

Anthony Edwards had 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert added 15 points and 13 rebounds, but Minnesota lost its 19th straight north of the border.

Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mike Conley scored 11 for the Timberwolves. Towns shot 8 for 25, going 2 of 10 from 3-point range.

HEAT 103 PISTONS 102

Bam Adebayo scored 22 points, Jimmy Butler finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds and Miami held off Detroit in the season opener for both clubs.

Tyler Herro scored 16 points, Duncan Robinson added 15 and Kevin Love had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat — who led by 19 with 9:07 left, wasted almost all of it and went scoreless in the final 2:57.

Cade Cunningham had 30 points and nine assists for the Pistons. Jalen Duren had 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for Detroit, Isaiah Stewart had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Killian Hayes scored 10.

inbounded the ball to Cunningham with 2.5 seconds left, but his well-defended 30-footer missed as time expired.

Miami improved to 20-16 all-time in openers, 10-6 under coach Erik Spoelstra. Detroit fell to 38-40 in openers, and dropped the first game of the Monty Williams coaching era with the Pistons.

CAVALIERS 114 NETS 113

Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland beat Brooklyn for their first road win in a season opener since 2000.

Cleveland had six players score in double figures. Max Strus, who started in place of injured center Jarrett Allen, had 27 points and 12 rebounds. Isaac Okoro scored 18 points, and Darius Garland finished with 15.

Cam Thomas scored 36 for Brooklyn, setting a league record for most points for a reserve in a season opener. Mikal Bridges scored 11 of his 20 in the fourth quarter. Cam Johnson had 12 points, and Ben Simmons finished with four points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

THUNDER 124 BULLS 104

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Oklahoma City beat Chicago in the season opener.

Fourth in the NBA in scoring last season, Gilgeous-Alexander keyed a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that broke open a one-point game. Josh Giddey and Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams each scored 16 for Oklahoma City.

Chet Holmgren had 11 points in his long-awaited NBA debut. Isaiah Joe led a strong effort by the bench with 14 points, and Oklahoma City’s reserves outscored Chicago’s 42-34.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 20 points. Zach LaVine scored all of his 16 points in the second half. Coby White scored 15, and Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and nine rebounds for Chicago.

PELICANS 111 GRIZZLIES 104

CJ McCollum scored 24 points, Zion Williamson added 23 points and seven rebounds as New Orleans defeated Memphis.

McCollum was 8 of 16 from the field including 6 of 11 from outside the arc. Williamson scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to avoid any comeback by Memphis. Brandon Ingram finished with 19 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 31 points, while Marcus Smart had 17 points. Xavier Tillman matched Smart’s 17 points and added 12 rebounds.

The game was the first of the 25-game suspension for Grizzles guard Ja Morant, the team’s leading scorer last season. He is scheduled to finish the suspension in December. His absence, along with several injuries across the Memphis frontline left the Grizzlies at a disadvantage.

KINGS 130 JAZZ 114

Harrison Barnes scored 33 points and Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead Sacramento over Utah.

De’Aaron Fox chipped in 18 points for the Kings, and Malik Monk dished out a team-high seven assists off the bench.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 24 points and six assists. Lauri Markkanen tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds and John Collins finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in his Utah debut.

The Jazz had won six straight season openers before falling at home Wednesday night. Utah has now dropped four of its last five regular season games against Sacramento.

CLIPPERS 123 TRAIL BLAZERS 111

Paul George scored 27 points and Kawhi Leonard added 23 to lead five players in double figures as Los Angeles beat Portland in their season opener.

The Clippers had Leonard and George together for just 38 games last season, when both were derailed by injuries and the team lost in the first round of the playoffs. But they’re healthy and in the lineup at the same time now, raising expectations for the Clippers as they pursue the franchise’s first NBA championship.

Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook added 11 points and 13 assists — making him the first Clippers player with at least 10 assists in a season opener since Chris Paul in October 2015.

Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points off the bench to lead the Blazers. Anfernee Simons added 18 points and Deandre Ayton had 12 rebounds while in foul trouble most of the game. The Blazers had six players in double figures.

Topics: dallas mavericks Luka Doncic Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs National Basketball Association (NBA)

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‘We never gave up’: Dubai Basketball edge out KK Split in last-minute win

Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
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‘We never gave up’: Dubai Basketball edge out KK Split in last-minute win

  • The 87-82 victory over the Croatian team secured their 11th consecutive victory to take their record to 23-5
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball continues their dream debut season with a last-minute comeback, securing a 87-82 victory over Croatian side Split on Sunday night at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

This secured their 11th consecutive victory, taking their win-loss record to an impressive 23-5. With just one home game remaining before the playoffs, the team has cemented its place as one of the standout teams of the season.

Dubai Basketball delivered a dominant first half, outscoring Split with quick offensive blows and solid defense. Dubai Basketball’s “Latvian Laser” Davis Bertans led the scoring with 25 points, earning the title of the night’s hero after a clinical shooting display.

“Our first half was very, very good,” said head coach, Jurica Golemac, after the match. “We played with intent, we executed well, and we were in control. But then, we thought it was finished, and Split didn’t give up. We gave them the chance and the hope that they could win this game.”

With momentum shifting, Dubai’s rhythm appeared to falter toward the final minutes of the game. “We started to not move the ball,” Golemac said. “We missed a couple of open shots. We played basket to basket, and that’s never good. They got momentum, and they were scoring tough shots — even with good defense.”

Split seized the opportunity with a burst of energy in the second half, clawing back from a 12-point deficit and even taking a narrow lead at one point in the final quarter. Their head coach shared his half-time message, telling his players to “to take control of our lives — (the game) is in our own hands.”

As the game tightened, Golemac made a decisive move, bringing on fan favorite Nemanja Dangubic to help the team from deep in the court. The city’s commanding forward responded immediately.

“In the end, I have to give credit to the players,” Golemac said. “We managed. We never gave up. With defense, we won the game. And with the great help of our fans, they never gave up on us, and they gave us the extra energy when we needed it.”

Reflecting on the team’s recent run of success, Golemac said: “This is the 11th game in a row that we are winning. The last couple of weeks we had easier victories, and I think everyone expected that tonight would be the same — especially after the way the game started. But as I always say, we play for 40 minutes. Not 10, not 12, not even 38. We play for 40.

“It’s hard to stay at a high-level week after week,” he said. “Now we need to analyze what went wrong, look at what we can improve, and get back to work in practice to prepare for the next game.”

Topics: basketball Dubai Basketball

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The secret history of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia

Updated 22 April 2025
Hashim Nadeem
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The secret history of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia

  • In just 5 years, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit has become a fixture in the racing calendar
Updated 22 April 2025
Hashim Nadeem

JEDDAH: As McLaren’s Oscar Piastri lifted the winner’s trophy on Sunday night, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix marked a milestone that goes far beyond the checkered flag.

With its fifth edition concluded, Jeddah is now not just another Grand Prix for racing fans; it is the world’s fastest and second-longest street circuit in Formula 1 history.

In just five years, the Kingdom has turned its coastal circuit into one of the most talked-about stops on the Formula 1 calendar.                                                                

This anniversary is not just a celebration of fast cars and thrilling races, but also a testament to the Kingdom’s pursuit of global sports recognition.

As the roar of engines faded into silence and the grandstands emptied, the importance of this race in the Kingdom’s sporting history is just beginning to sink in.

Few know the backstory and how a series of off-track moves, quiet negotiations, and long-term ambitions brought the sport onto Saudi Arabia’s soil.

Before the first engine revved up in 2021, the wheels had already been set in motion.

Secret push behind the Grand Prix

Long before the first roar of Formula 1 cars echoed along Jeddah’s Red Sea coast, the idea of bringing the world’s fastest sport to Saudi Arabia was quietly gaining traction in various boardrooms in Riyadh.

It was not just about motorsport, it was a calculated move tied to Vision 2030: to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, elevate its global image, and position Saudi Arabia as a serious player in international sports.

The deal was not public at first. Whispers began to be heard in early 2018, shortly after Saudi Arabia secured rights to host the all-electric Formula E in Diriyah.

That event was seen as a trial, a soft launch into global motorsport. Behind the scenes, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Ministry of Sport began mapping a larger ambition: securing Formula 1.

The official announcement came in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold move that stunned even some insiders in the racing world.

Critics questioned the timing, but for the Kingdom, this was the perfect moment.

Strategic move to choose Jeddah

The decision to host the race in Jeddah — and not the capital — raised eyebrows. But the logic was simple. Jeddah, a historical port, was undergoing a visual transformation.

Placing the circuit along the Corniche, with the glinting Red Sea as a backdrop, created a visual spectacle few other Formula 1 circuits could match.

But there was more at play. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s beating commercial heart, a cosmopolitan city and symbol of the new Saudi Arabia identity.

The Kingdom was not just launching a race, it was rebranding itself to the world, and Jeddah became the face of that campaign.

And then came the design: the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 history.

Designed by Carsten Tilke, son of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke, Jeddah featured 27 turns and blisteringly high-speed straights, challenging drivers in ways no other urban race ever had.

5 years of speed, stats, surprises, standout moments

Since its debut in December 2021, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has carved out its own identity.

Fastest street race: It is one of the quickest on the calendar, with cars averaging over 250 kph. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest average qualifying lap on the circuit.

Second-longest: At  6,174 km, it is one of the longest circuits in the world.

Most turns at 27: Most Grand Prix tracks have 14 to 20, but Jeddah has 27 corners, with sweeping bends and blind apexes, making it technically demanding.

Built in under eight months: It was designed and constructed in less than a year, an incredible feat for a Grade 1 FIA-approved circuit. Over 30,000 tons of asphalt, 600,000 work hours, and thousands of workers were involved.

Historic debuts: The 2021 race was the first Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, marking the Kingdom as the 34th country to host a Formula 1 contest.

Dramatic finishes: From the Max Verstappen-Hamilton showdown in 2021 to chaotic safety-car dramas and nail-biting late-race restarts, Jeddah’s circuit never delivered a dull contest.

Global spotlight: Over 140,000 fans attended the race weekend in 2023, with millions more watching worldwide.

But perhaps the most surprising statistic is that it has become one of the top-five most-watched races globally, according to F1 media tracking.

Looking ahead, the futuristic Qiddiya circuit is on the horizon. The new entertainment and tourism city is set to become home to one of the most advanced motorsport facilities in the region.

It is a project promising to blend adrenaline, innovation, and entertainment in a way the sport has never seen before.

Topics: Jeddah

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Global Champions Arabians Tour debuts on the sands of Miami Beach

Updated 22 April 2025
Arab News
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Global Champions Arabians Tour debuts on the sands of Miami Beach

  • The event was attended by Jeff Bezos, DJ Khaled, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Terrence J and other celebrities
Updated 22 April 2025
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MIAMI: The Global Champions Arabians Tour, the world’s premier Arabian horse championship series, made its debut in Miami with a star-studded event held from April 17-19.

The event was the second stage of the GCAT Americas series and delivered a dazzling display of world-class Arabian horse excellence, international glamour, and signature Miami Beach luxury.

Over the course of three days, the event welcomed guests including VIPs, industry leaders, and international media. Set against the Atlantic shoreline, the event transformed Miami Beach into an equestrian stage, welcoming more 100 horses and handlers from around the globe to compete for GCAT points and a share of the Americas circuit’s $2.7 million prize fund. Categories were judged on type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement.

In the grand finale on Saturday evening the following horses captured Gold Championship titles: 

Senior stallions: Tasheem PMA, owned by Theresa Lungwitz – Royal T Arabians, USA

Senior mares: Exxaltress, owned by Orrion Farms, USA

Junior colts: STA High Voltaj, owned by Al Wajba Stud, Qatar

Junior fillies: Ibitsam Aljassimya, owned by Al Jassimya Farm, USA

Yearling colts: Masarat, owned by Orrion Farms, USA

Yearling fillies: Rohara Aria Heiress, owned by The Aria Partners, USA

The closing ceremony featured aerial performances, immersive lighting, and live entertainment, with a performance of “All I do is Win” by DJ Khaled.

“The Miami Beach stage has exceeded all expectations,” said Faleh Al Nasr, chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour. “We’ve brought the passion and artistry of Arabian horses to a global audience here, in a city that embraces culture, elegance, and excellence.”

On Thursday evening, 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting gave a beachfront performance that drew a crowd of notables including Jeff Bezos, DJ Khaled, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, and Kiki Barth from “Real Housewives of Miami”, Jon Vilma, businessman Michael Cayre, Etienne Sabino, Emily Austin, Jamie Reuben, Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and more. Meanwhile Saturday featured a performance from Miami’s own Flo Rida and drew appearances from DJ Khaled, Jeremy Piven, Terrence J, model Karolina Kurkova, Martina Navratilova, Bethenny Frankel, Alexia Nepola, Alexis Stoudamire, and Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez.

As part of the 2025 GCAT Americas circuit, the Miami Beach stage followed the season opener in Scottsdale, Arizona, and precedes additional stages in Sao Paulo, Brandon (Canada), and Las Vegas — all leading to the grand finale at the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Doha, Qatar.

 

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Pistons snap NBA playoff skid, vintage Leonard leads Clippers past Nuggets in Denver

Updated 22 April 2025
AFP
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Pistons snap NBA playoff skid, vintage Leonard leads Clippers past Nuggets in Denver

  • The Pistons, in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, notched their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics
  • Leonard made 15 of his 19 shot attempts and the Clippers withstood NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s triple-double
Updated 22 April 2025
AFP

LOS ANGELES: The Detroit Pistons snapped their record 15-game NBA playoff losing streak with a 100-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday to level their Eastern Conference first-round series at one game apiece.

Cade Cunningham scored 33 points with 12 rebounds and Dennis Schroder added 20 points off the bench — including a go-ahead three-pointer with 55.7 seconds left — as the Pistons thwarted another Knicks’ rally bid.

The Los Angeles Clippers also bounced back from a Game 1 defeat, beating the Nuggets 105-102 in Denver behind a brilliant 39-point performance from Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard made 15 of his 19 shot attempts and the Clippers withstood NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to level their Western Conference series at 1-1.

The Pistons, in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, notched their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics.

Two days after the Knicks authored a 21-0 scoring run to rally in Game 1, the Pistons were pushed to the finish in a fast-paced, physical encounter at Madison Square Garden.

They led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, but the Knicks had cut the deficit to eight going into the final period.

New York star Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth and fed Josh Hart for a dunk that tied it at 94-94 with 1:15 to play.

But Schroder answered immediately, drilling a three-pointer that put the Pistons ahead for good.

The Knicks came up empty on three straight possessions while Schroder and Jalen Duren connected at the free-throw line to seal Detroit’s win.

Tobias Harris scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and Duren had 12 points and 13 boards for the Pistons, who host Game 3 on Thursday.

“Feels good to represent the city like we did tonight,” Cunningham said. “It’s something that the city’s been waiting on a long time, so we feel good about it and we’re ready to get back to the crib and perform in front of them.”

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was irked at what he considered inconsistent officiating, noting that the Pistons went to the free-throw line 34 times to the Knicks’ 19.

“If Cunningham’s driving and there’s marginal contact and he’s getting to the line, then Jalen (Brunson) deserves to be getting to the line,” Thibodeau said.

It was another pulsating contest in Denver, where the Clippers bounced back from a narrow Game 1 overtime defeat thanks to a vintage performance from Leonard — an NBA champion in 2014 and 2019 who has been hindered by injury in recent seasons.

Leonard set the tone early, making nine of his 10 shots in the first half and sending the Clippers into halftime up 55-52 with a buzzer-beating three-pointer.

In a game that featured 18 lead changes, the Nuggets tied it at 100-100 with 2:07 to play on a three-pointer by Murray.

But Norman Powell came up with a steal and drained a three-pointer and Leonard made a jump shot to put the Clippers up 105-102. Leonard stole a Jokic pass with 37.3 seconds left and Los Angeles held on as Christian Braun and Jokic missed in the waning seconds.

“I just kept going and stayed in the zone,” Leonard said. “I didn’t worry about what shots were making or missing. I just kept shooting.”

Topics: Pistons NBA Clippers Nuggets

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Ostapenko on upward trajectory as clay season gains momentum

Updated 22 April 2025
Reuters
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Ostapenko on upward trajectory as clay season gains momentum

  • Her ninth tour-level title, and just her second on clay, lifted Ostapenko six places in the world rankings to 18th, marking her out as a dark horse ahead of Roland Garros, which begins on May 25
Updated 22 April 2025
Reuters

Jelena Ostapenko is starting to show shades of the form that saw her crowned French Open champion eight years ago with the Latvian knocking over the top two players in the world en route to winning the Stuttgart Open title on Monday.
Ostapenko became the first woman to beat the world number one and number two in the same claycourt event since Serena Williams at Madrid in 2012 by beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final and Iga Swiatek in the quarters.
Her ninth tour-level title, and just her second on clay, lifted Ostapenko six places in the world rankings to 18th, marking her out as a dark horse ahead of Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.
“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone, but I felt confident since the first day. I had a strange feeling in a good way,” she told reporters in Stuttgart.
“When I came here, I felt like something’s going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament.
“I think I’m improving day by day and I’m playing better and better. I think I deserve it.”
Ostapenko, who also beat Swiatek on the way to the Doha final in February before losing to Amanda Anisimova, has failed to reach a Grand Slam final since her Roland Garros breakthrough in 2017.
However, she said playing without the burden of expectation had worked wonders for her this season.
“I had enough pressure in my career,” Ostapenko told the WTA website. “I didn’t feel it even though it was the final. In my mind, I was just playing a match.”
Ostapenko will be in action in Madrid this week and is also dreaming of another deep run in Paris.
“Obviously I can play well on this surface,” she added.
“I will take it match by match, but anything can happen.”

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