Marina Stakusic, the talented 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, has made headlines after achieving a remarkable upset at the Guadalajara Open by defeating the tournament's top seed, Jelena Ostapenko. This 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (0) victory marks not just a significant milestone for Stakusic, but also her first-ever entry to the quarterfinals of the WTA Tour, showcasing her potential on the world stage.
The match, which unfolded over three grueling hours and four minutes, saw Stakusic battling through severe pressure when she found herself down 4-0 at one point during the final set. Displaying grit and determination, she fought off four match points at 5-3 against Ostapenko, who is currently ranked as the 12th best player globally and boasts of having won the French Open back in 2017.
Upon securing the win, Stakusic reflected on the rollercoaster nature of the match, saying, “I’m happy to pull through; it was a rollercoaster. I got a chance to close it in the second [set], and I didn’t, but I’m happy with the win and excited with the quarters.” Her elation was evident as she progressed through the tournament, buoyed by her unexpected entry as a wild card.
This challenging encounter began to tip in Stakusic's favor after she rallied to win five out of the next six games, leveling the score after her shaky start. The match culminated with Stakusic taking charge during the tie-break, winning it convincingly at 7-0.
Before this monumental victory, Stakusic had already asserted her presence by overcoming Olympic semifinalist Anna Karolina Schmiedlova with scores of 6-2, 6-4. Stakusic's performance during this tournament is not only historic for her career but also significant as she becomes the first wild-card entrant to beat Ostapenko and reach the quarterfinals at the Guadalajara Open.
Stakusic's ascent through amateur tennis was marked by her recent participation with the Canadian team at the Billie Jean King Cup, where she was instrumental, achieving noteworthy wins, including defeating the 43rd-ranked Martina Trevisan of Italy.
Looking forward, Stakusic's next opponent is fifth-seeded Magdalena Frech, who qualified by winning against Ashley Krueger, solidifying her own pathway to the quarterfinal. Stakusic's remarkable resilience and tactical adjustments throughout the match could serve her well against Frech, who previously beat her effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Ostapenko’s performance included 17 double faults, which contributed to her downfall. After finishing the match, she expressed disappointment but also acknowledged her past successes, categorizing her loss as primarily a struggle with consistency.
Throughout the tournament held at the Complejo Panamericano de Tenis, multiple matches are showcasing varying levels of excitement. Notably, fourth-seeded Caroline Garcia also advanced by narrowly escaping Ena Shibahara, winning with tiebreaks of 7-6 (3) and 7-6 (5). Garcia will now be logging her strategy to confront Marie Bouzkova, setting the stage for an intense quarterfinal.
Stakusic’s rise through the ranks of women’s tennis is something to keep tabs on. After this game, tennis enthusiasts are eager to see how far she can go in this tournament, and what future matches hold for both her and the formidable competitors around her. The Guadalajara Open has proven to be not just another tournament, but rather fertile ground for unexpected wins and the blossoming of new talent.
