World No. 18 Elena Ostapenko shared the unusual feelings she had experienced just before her winning tournament in Stuttgart.
She explained, “When I arrived, I had a strange feeling – in a good way. I sensed that something significant would happen this week. I felt like I was capable of winning this tournament because I was improving every day, playing better and better. I believe I truly deserved this victory.”
Regarding her approach when facing Sabalenka (a comment that appeared separately in the original text), Ostapenko also stated: “I extensively analyzed our previous matches, which gave me a clear understanding of what I needed to do.”
Rupert Hartwell 
Adrian Whitmore