Ostapenko in disbelief after remarkable triumph

Two days after her 20th birthday, Jelena Ostapenko secured a stunning French Open success which she herself could scarcely fathom.

Jelena Ostapenko could hardly believe her own achievements after storming back to defeat Simona Halep in a scintillating French Open final on Sunday (AEST).

The Latvian, who only turned 20 on Thursday, was 6-4 3-0 down and seemingly staring at defeat in her maiden grand-slam final.

But after saving three break points she dug in to mount a breathless turnaround, seeing out a 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory to become the first player to win their maiden title at a major since Gustavo Kuerten, who lifted the men's French Open title on the day Ostapenko was born in 1997.

"I cannot believe I'm Roland Garros champion at only 20 years old, it's an amazing event, I love you guys it's so amazing to be here," an ecstatic Ostapenko said in an on-court interview.

"I'm really happy, I have no words, it's my dream, I'm just really, really happy.

"I knew Simona is a great player and she was playing great. I was trying to stay aggressive, I was missing, and then in a couple of games everything turned my way.

"Even in the third set I was 3-1 down and I was fighting for every point and glad it finished my way.

"I still cannot believe I won Roland Garros, as a child I was watching players playing here and now to be here and win this title I feel amazing.

"Thanks to all the people who supported me this week, I'm really happy thank you guys."

Ostapenko's success owed much to an ultra-aggressive approach, which saw her rack up 54 winners in the final and would appear well-suited to the upcoming grass-court season.

"I'm looking forward to Wimbledon because grass is one of my favourite surfaces," she said.

"Of course I would like to win all of the grand slams. It's my goal. But I'm just going to try to work hard now and try to reach the high ranking.

"I always had the possibility I could hit the ball really hard. If I have a chance to go for a shot, I'm trying, and it's quite helpful.

"It's just the way I play, and also I think my character is like that. So I want to really hit the ball.

"I think I can still improve my serve, my forehand. And also sometimes I was making too many unforced errors. So if I can reduce them, I think will be helpful."