Sharapova Wary of Ostapenko's Aggression, Power

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Sharapova Wary of Ostapenko's Aggression, Power

If their first meeting is any indication, we are going to see a no-holds-barred slugfest tonight when Maria Sharapova and Jelena Ostapenko take the court on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sharapova came out on top in three sets in their first meeting, but the Russian said on Thursday that she has a lot of respect for the Latvian’s game and she admitted how difficult it was to procure that victory.

“It was a tough one,” Sharapova said of the win. “It was a real battle. It could have gone either way. It was a really long, physical match. It was our first ever meeting. It was a chance to see and feel each other's game.”

Sharapova, who takes a career record of 37-10 at the U.S. Open into tonight’s third-round match, says she came away impressed with Ostapenko’s game, and her courage.

“I was really impressed by her game,” she said. “She's young and fearless, comes out swinging. She's a Grand Slam champion, so that speaks for itself. She's got that experience in Grand Slams already.”

The Russian adds that she felt that Ostapenko, known for her grip-and-rip mentality, actually enjoys facing her. That’s not something that most players on the WTA Tour could say. With her lethal power and trademark fighting spirit, most players on tour would say that it’s a real drag facing Sharapova. But Ostapenko, still just 21 and bidding for a spot in the second week at the U.S. Open for the first time, enjoys challenges, and she also enjoys pace

“I think she likes the matchup of playing against me,” Sharapova said on Thursday. “[We are] Both quite aggressive players.”

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