'Anything is possible' for new French Open champion Ostapenko

French Open victor Jelena Ostapenko received a warm welcome in Riga, two days after the Latvian became the first unseeded player to lift the women's trophy at Roland Garros since 1933. The Top eight singles players and doubles teams of 2017 will secure a spot at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore.

Budge hopes that loyalty is a factor when it comes to negotiations, feeling that because he took a punt past year and gave her a wildcard.

Ostapenko described the American, a three-time champion in Paris, as "an idol". Surviving a three-setter with Halep, the Ukrainian won her third title of the year and her second on clay, making her one of the shortlist favorites for the title. Unfortunately that deal ended after this year's ASB Classic where Ostapenko showed glimpses of her talent in a first round demolition of New Zealand's Marina Erakovic and went on to lose to the eventual champion Lauren Davis in the semi-finals.

Ostapenko, who came here from the 47th place in the ranking, has never won any tour title. "But I learned how to play on it and understood the movement".

It was Ostapenko's first career title as she became the lowest-ranked victor in Paris, taking the trophy in just her eighth Major appearance. She's fearless, she fights for every point.' Jakovleva, who came in Paris only during the second week, didn't watch any of Jelena's matches from the grounds because 'Jelena has more focus if I am not here.

So Ostapenko stepped into the considerable opening created by the absences of Serena Williams (who is pregnant) and Sharapova (denied a wild card after a drug ban).

Ostapenko burst onto the scene with a brash brand of tennis.

Konta praised Ostapenko's triumph, believing it showcases how open the women's game is that so many low-seeded players can reach the latter stages of the biggest events. Ostapenko also made 54 unforced errors, to Halep's 10.

Ostapenko cracked 54 winners past Halep in the final, her forehand is electric but her backhand may just about be the best shot in women's tennis right now. "You become a spectator".

Still, there were plenty of entertaining points during the back-and-forth match between the disparate styles, played in a slight breeze with the temperature at about 80 degrees (above 25 Celsius) and with nary a cloud marking the azure sky.

"I felt the support of the people in Latvia and in the stands".

"I've been sick in the stomach with emotion", Halep said.

Ostapenko certainly was ready, sooner than even she could imagine.