Qatar Open 2023: Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Fixture:Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys

Tournament:Qatar TotalEnergies Open

Round: First Round (Round of 32)

Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize money: $780,637

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys preview

Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys square off in a first-round clash at the Qatar Open in Doha.

Having struggled in her first couple of tournaments Down Under, Ostapenko turned it around at the Australian Open. With four consecutive wins, the Latvian made it to the quarterfinals of the Melbourne Major for the very first time. One of her scalps during her campaign was Auckland champion Coco Gauff, touted as one of the pre-tournament favorites.

However, the former French Open winner failed to produce any resistance against reigning Wimbledon Elena Rybakina, going down meekly 6-2, 6-4.

Ostapenko came back to the tour in Abu Dhabi this week. Although she ground out a three-set win over Danielle Collins in the first round, she was sent packing in the very next round by the big-hitting Qinwen Zheng.

The World No. 12 will now hope to get back to winning ways in Doha, a tournament where she has fond memories of reaching the semifinals last year.

World No. 24 Madison Keys, meanwhile, made a stunning start to the year. She won all five of her matches to guide Team USA to the United Cup title.

However, the American's Australian Open title challenge was cut short by Victoria Azarenka in three sets in the third round.

The former US Open runner-up returns to action in Doha for the first time since that loss.

Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys head-to-head

Keys leads Ostapenko 3-1 in the head-to-head. They split their last couple of meetings, both of which came in 2022. While Ostapenko emerged victorious in Eastbourne after Keys retired, the American bagged a 6-4, 7-5 win at Cincinnati.

Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys odds

(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)

Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys prediction

Madison Keys has always been a bad matchup for Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian's only win over the former World No. 7 came in a truncated match due to Keys' retirement.

Keys comes into this contest, having rested and recharged her batteries since the Australian Open. She will look to use her colossal serve and blistering forehands to do the talking against Ostapenko.

The key to breaking down the American's game is to move her around the court and disrupt her rhythm with an occasional touch and finesse. However, Ostapenko isn't the best of movers around. Her one-dimensional hard-hitting game falls flat against Keys, especially if her serve lets her down.

The Latvian didn't have the best of serving days in Abu Dhabi, coughing up 17 double faults in two matches. If she wants to taste success against Keys, her serve is the first thing she needs to fortify to get results.

Pick: Keys to win in straight sets.