TENNIS : JELENA OSTAPENKO IS THE NEW FRENCH OPEN CHAMP ! FAIRY-TALE FIRST WIN BY THE UNSEEDED 20-YEAR-OLD !

TENNIS : JELENA OSTAPENKO IS THE NEW FRENCH OPEN CHAMP ! FAIRY-TALE FIRST WIN BY THE UNSEEDED 20-YEAR-OLD !

You may not have heard of her name before.

Well, you have now - - for sure.

Jelena Ostapenko has never won a Tour Final, in her life.

She came to the 2017 French Open not too hopeful - - unseeded.

Now, she is coming home with the Roland Garros Grand Slam Trophy.

"I still cannot believe it, because it was my dream and now it came true!", blurted the 20-year-old Latvian, following her sensational win.

Jelena Ostapenko, who celebrated her 20th birthday on court in the Semi Finals the other day - - en route to her maiden Championship Finals - - has now just landed her name on the record books.

She became the first unseeded player ever to win the French Open crown in the Open Era.

Though already seen by some as a promising young Junior player early on in her career, Ostapenko just turned pro in 2014.

Now, apart from the Grand Slam Trophy and a piece of history she's taking with her, Jelena Ostapenko is also going home with the handsome USD 2.3 Million Dollar French Open Champion's prize money.

In 1 hour and 59 minutes, Jelena Ostapenko stunned World No.4 Simona Halep in their French Open Finals face-off, 6-4; 4-6; 3-6.

Down in the First Set, and broken early, dangerously trailing 1-3 in the Second Set, Ostapenko rallied back with her ferocious backhands and forehands, relentlessly.

The young nerveless Latvian, proved to be too powerful for the seasoned Romanian.

Simona Halep was also Finalist in the French Open in 2014, and was favorite to win over Ostapenko in this year's Finals.

Then, the unthinkable upset came.

Jelena Ostapenko was introduced to tennis by her mother when she was 5, in her native Riga in Latvia.

Growing up, she idolized Serena Williams as a young child.

While she loved dancing and competed nationally in Latvia as a kid, she later focused on tennis at age 12.

Little did she know, that one day soon at a very tender age of 20, she will win the French Open.

"Fairy tales can come true", writes FOX Sports Asia @FOXSporstAsia.

"Incredible!", said the BBC @BBCSport .

Jelena Ostapenko is the French Open champion! 🏆

She wins 4-6 6-4 6-3

Incredible! https://t.co/zHjqWMsK7M #RG17 pic.twitter.com/30TkwBnV5n
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 10, 2017

2017 ROLAND-GARROS Champion Jelena Ostapenko wants to thank YOU! 
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Fairytales can come true 🧚‍♀️👏

How unseeded Jelena Ostapenko completed a stunning comeback at @rolandgarros ➡️https://t.co/xLDvQmIGNH pic.twitter.com/AcY6DTNnrI
— FOX Sports Asia (@FOXSportsAsia) June 10, 2017

"I still cannot believe it because it was my dream and now it came true."#RG17 pic.twitter.com/4wNyvyDhaN
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

Roland-Garros est son royaume ! A tout juste 20 ans, pour sa huitième participation à un tournoi du Grand Chelem, Jelena...
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Ostapenko Odyssey Complete.

#RG17
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

✅ 20 years old
✅ Never won a tour final
✅ Unseeded
✅ First Latvian to win a major

Jelena Ostapenko 
Posted by BBC Sport on Saturday, 10 June 2017

At just 20 years old, the unseeded Jelena Ostapenko wins the French Open to become Latvia's first ever Grand Slam champion 🇱🇻#RG17 pic.twitter.com/f9H7YujkXi
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 10, 2017

#SAPStatOfTheDay: Jelena Ostapenko becomes the first unseeded player to win @RolandGarros in the Open Era! @SAPSports pic.twitter.com/8JbsYirftC
— WTA (@WTA) June 10, 2017

Jeļena Ostapenko = Latvia’s FIRST Grand Slam champion! 
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

What a performance from Jelena #Ostapenko! The 2017 @rolandgarros champion! #RG17 👏🏆🙌 pic.twitter.com/wY9hhkiRi1
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) June 10, 2017

#RG17 awarded 11 trophies on the second Saturday, including those for juniors, wheelchair, men's doubles, and women's...
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Jelena Ostapenko defeated Simona Halep in three sets at the French Open for her first-ever Grand Slam title. pic.twitter.com/WqUumDeSs9
— ESPN (@espn) June 10, 2017

BREAKING: Jelena Ostapenko defeats Simona Halep 4-6 6-4 6-3 in #FrenchOpen women’s singles final to clinch first grand slam title #tennis pic.twitter.com/hcTvzOddMz
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) June 10, 2017

Jelena Ostapenko becomes first Latvian to win a grand slam singles title ➡︎ https://t.co/x8atDwIo4n #FrenchOpen pic.twitter.com/w0hIhJwg2A
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) June 10, 2017

BREAKING: Jelena Ostapenko wins French Open @rolandgarros after beating @Simona_Halep 4-6 6-4 6-3. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/UfRXIU7XfV
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) June 10, 2017

Jelena Ostapenko wins her first Grand Slam 🏆, defeating Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3#RG17 reaction: https://t.co/oBDg1UcFZb pic.twitter.com/1XbEZoZgg0
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) June 10, 2017

Jelena Ostapenko wins her maiden Grand Slam title! https://t.co/tm3KSlKacZ

🏆 1er titre du Grand Chelem pour Jelena Ostapenko 👏#RG17 pic.twitter.com/yVyxLPJuOO
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

2017 @rolandgarros champion Jelena #Ostapenko reacts to winning her 1st Grand Slam title in Paris #RG17
Tweet

SHE'S DONE IT!
Jeļena Ostapenko captures FIRST Grand Slam title at ROLAND-GARROS!
Comes back to edge Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3!
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

WATCH here:https://t.co/oNv6HbvoJs pic.twitter.com/H0EMYAP8Wn
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 10, 2017

Jelena #Ostapenko is your @rolandgarros 2017 CHAMPION!
She has stunned 2014 finalist #Halep 4-6 6-4 6-3 to win her maiden Grand Slam title! pic.twitter.com/OodHqGoBNt
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 10, 2017

Celebrating with the ones who matter the most ❤️#RG17 pic.twitter.com/AU9LdMA7kA
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

Your 2017 ROLAND-GARROS Finalist Simona Halep and Champion Jeļena Ostapenko! 
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

First unseeded player to ever win ROLAND-GARROS, Jeļena Ostapenko! 
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

We found Latvians! 🇱🇻

Celebrations begin at #RG17 as Jelena Ostapenko wins the nation's first Grand Slam title 🏆🎾https://t.co/3OiqMGWvKk pic.twitter.com/pejOTlkI31
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) June 10, 2017

Jelena Ostapenko is your @rolandgarros 2017 Champion! Ranked 47th in the world - incredible! pic.twitter.com/K59fpiFozI
— ITV Sport (@ITVSport) June 10, 2017

"I really enjoy to play here. It's a really great time, I really love to be he.re"

Jelena Ostapenko delivers her Grand Slam speech. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/L3FVK32imd
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

#FrenchOpen: Unseeded #JelenaOstapenko stuns #SimonaHalep to lift maiden title https://t.co/D4fZrNzzLY pic.twitter.com/y9wRDp3OY5
— DNA (@dna) June 10, 2017

Unseeded Jelena Ostapenko beats Simona Halep to win French Open https://t.co/Ce3Yaqc0I2 pic.twitter.com/985kNDOyMl
— CP24 (@CP24) June 10, 2017

Posted by BBC Sport on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Young aggression gives Ostapenko the edge in capturing her first major title. #RG17 #IBMsports @IBM pic.twitter.com/iam5bZPjpl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

#FrenchOpen 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko is the 1st unseeded women's champion at #RolandGarros in the open era. https://t.co/ULz83YIhaj pic.twitter.com/gxjPk5L1Nb
— FirstpostSports (@FirstpostSports) June 10, 2017

Trophy time!

The match sealed with silverware 🏆#RG17 pic.twitter.com/3YcbtTaUEW
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

First kiss 😘#RG17 pic.twitter.com/f25bo5gvwT
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

Trophies are heavy guys!#RG17 pic.twitter.com/9Iczl6vz6H
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

"It's really heavy!" - #Ostapenko on lifting her new friend Suzie. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/LL1TU1r5jL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 10, 2017

Young aggression gives Ostapenko the edge in capturing her first major title. #RG17 #IBMsports IBM
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

The last player to win their debut title at ROLAND-GARROS?

Gustavo Kuerten on June 8, 1997.

The day Jelena Ostapenko was born.
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

A 20 ans, Jelena Ostapenko s'offre son premier Grand Chelem aux dépens de Simona Halep (4/6, 6/4, 6/3). Retour en images...
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Saturday, 10 June 2017

WTA Players and Legends take to Twitter to congratulate Jelena Ostapenko! 
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

First Title ✅
First Grand Slam Title ✅

Jeļena Ostapenko conquers ROLAND-GARROS!
Posted by WTA on Saturday, 10 June 2017

This is why we play... Trophies are ready !
Ce pour quoi nous jouons... Les trophées sont prêts !
Posted by ROLAND-GARROS on Friday, 9 June 2017

The Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen: the first career trophy for 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko. 🏆😁 #RG17 // La Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, premier trophée dans la carrière de Jelena Ostapenko, 20 ans 🏆😄 📸: @cocodubreuil / FFT
A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) on Jun 10, 2017 at 9:38am PDT

😀😜😡😖😳😵😱😬😍 #RG17 #Ostapenko
A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) on Jun 10, 2017 at 11:27am PDT

Let's play three. #RG17 #Ostapenko 📷: @cocodubreuil / FFT
A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) on Jun 10, 2017 at 7:44am PDT

The moment you become a Roland-Garros champion. Congratulations, @jelena.ostapenko1997! // Ce moment où tu deviens championne de Roland-Garros ! Félicitations @jelena.ostapenko1997 #RG17 📸: @cocodubreuil / FFT
A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:33am PDT

Congrats to 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko after beating Simona Halep 4-6 6-4 6-3 at Roland Garros! 🏆 🎾
A post shared by BBC SPORT (@bbcsport) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:30am PDT

Congrats to Jelena Ostapenko - the 2017 French Open champion! 🏆🎾 #RH17 #Tennis
A post shared by BBC SPORT (@bbcsport) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:54am PDT

Jelena Ostapenko defeated Simona Halep in three sets at the French Open for her first-ever Grand Slam title. She’s the first unseeded woman to win the French Open in the Open Era (since 1968).
A post shared by espn (@espn) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

It's the Ladies Final! Predictions and match chat below 👇🏼 #Halep #Ostapenko #SimonaHalep #jelenaostapenko #rg17 (📷: Unknown)
A post shared by Tennis for everybodyguys! (@happyslamtennis) on Jun 10, 2017 at 6:28am PDT

She's done it! The unseeded Jelena Ostapenko has come from behind to take home the French Open. The win will see Ostapenko rise to world number 12 on Monday. Did you know this was only Jelena's 17th ever Grand Slam match? Amazing right? Commiserations to Simona Halep and team, who were graceful in the face of a tough defeat. #rg17 #jelenaostapenko #Ostapenko #SimonaHalep #Halep #rolandgarros (📷: Eurosport/WTA/Tennis Dunyasi Magazine)
A post shared by Tennis for everybodyguys! (@happyslamtennis) on Jun 10, 2017 at 9:09am PDT

A sensational point from @jelena.ostapenko1997 against @simonahalep in the Women’s final! 🙌🏻👌🏻😍 ⠀ #eurosport #rolandgarros #tennis #frenchopen #grandslam #clay #masters #halep #ostapenko #shot #atp #wta #atpworldtour #rg17 #france #paris #final #highlights
A post shared by Eurosport (@eurosport) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:07am PDT

Who saw this coming? 20 year old Jelena Ostapenko, who has never won a WTA tournament, will play the biggest match of her life tomorrow against French Open favorite Simona Halep in the French Open finals. Halep came into the tournament after playing an excellent pre-French Open clay court season and as the odds on favorite. With a win, the world number four would overtake Angelique Kerber as world number one. This will be Halep's second grand slam final as she lost to Maria Sharapova in the 2014 French Open finals. On the other hand, Jelena Ostapenko had never gotten past the 3rd round of a grand slam before this tournament and is definitely less experienced than the seasoned Halep. Ostapenko has played an exceptional tournament thus far as she beat former grand slam champ Sam Stosur and former world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki. I think that this match will look very similar to Halep's quarterfinal match against Elina Svitolina. I believe that Ostapenko may take the first set and play well, but that Halep will eventually be able to come out on top due to her experience in big matches. Who do you think will take the women's French Open title? Comment your predictions below! #rolandgarros2017 #frenchopen #frenchopen2017 #rolandgarros #tennisnews #tennis #halep #ostapenko #jelenaostapenko #simonahalep
A post shared by Tennis News (@thetennisreport) on Jun 9, 2017 at 10:30am PDT

Die erst 20-Jährige @jelena.ostapenko1997 hat überraschend die French Open in Paris gewonnen. Für die Lettin war es der erste Grand-Slam-Titel im ersten Finale. #kicker #tennis #frenchopen #rolandgarros #ostapenko #jelenaostapenko
A post shared by kicker (@kicker) on Jun 10, 2017 at 8:53am PDT