Jelena Ostapenko vs Anastasia Zakharova Preview & Prediction | 2026 Korea Open | First Round

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Jelena Ostapenko faces Anastasia Zakharova in Seoul.

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 22 September 2026 at 7:00 am

Venue: Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, Seoul, South Korea

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Jelena Ostapenko vs Anastasia Zakharova ticket information

Jelena Ostapenko vs Anastasia Zakharova prediction

Jelena Ostapenko will look to end a difficult run of results when she begins her campaign at the Korea Open. The Latvian has not played since the US Open, where she won the opening set against Tatjana Maria before falling to a 4-6 6-1 6-2 defeat in the first-round. Ostapenko struggled badly on serve in New York, committing 15 double faults and facing 12 break points. That followed a straight sets defeat to Magdalena Frech in Cincinnati. Her best result of the season came in Doha back in February, where she reached the semi-finals.

Her first-round opponent in Seoul is Anastasia Zakharova. She also last competed in New York, losing in round one despite an encouraging display against Naomi Osaka. She pushed the four-time Grand Slam champion to two tiebreaks, losing 7-6 (6) 7-5 (3). Her strongest WTA level run of 2026 came in Memphis, where she advanced to the last eight.

Ostapenko leads the head-to-head 1-0 after coming from a set down to beat Zakharova earlier on this season during that semi-final run in Doha. The 2017 French Open champion’s volatility and recent serving issues could hurt her chances here, but she will be the favourite to win.

Jelena Ostapenko vs Anastasia Zakharova tip: Both players to win a set