Ons Jabeur Makes History Again After Beating Swiatek To Reach Wimbledon Quarter-Finals - UBITENNIS
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Ons Jabeur Makes History Again After Beating Swiatek To Reach Wimbledon Quarter-Finals

Ons Jabeur is into the Wimbledon quarter-finals after beating Iga Swiatek.

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Ons Jabeur (@ITFTennis - Twitter)

Ons Jabeur became the first Arab or North African player for 47 years to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals after beating Iga Swiatek 5-7 6-1 6-1.

 

The Tunisian played a stunning last two sets to down an under-par Swiatek to reach the last eight at Wimbledon.

Jabeur will now play Aryna Sabalenka in the last eight tomorrow after she edged past Elena Rybakina.

It was a tense first set from both players as they both looked to reach their first Wimbledon quarter-final.

Swiatek committed the most errors at the start of the match and conceded the early break as Jabeur went 2-1 up.

As the set went along, the Pole managed to raise her game as she produced cleaner shots from the forehand side.

Despite being down break points, Jabeur produced some clutch serves and held onto her serve for 3-1.

However the inevitable did happen eventually as after a love hold, Swiatek got her first break of the match thanks to some unforced errors from the Tunisian.

In this topsy-turvy contest, the Pole would once again produce some sloppy shot-making and Jabeur sealed two games in a row for a 5-3 lead.

In the tenth game of the match with Jabeur serving for the match both players turned up the heat and produced shots of the highest order.

https://twitter.com/tennis_gifs/status/1412002023495643140

Eventually it was the world number nine who would break back for 5-5 and would take control of the set.

Swiatek carried the momentum into the latter stages of the opening set and turned defence into attack as she broke again to take the opening set 7-5.

Though Jabeur may have felt hard done by not to win the opening set, the Tunisian continued to raise her level as Swiatek’s level dipped.

As the Pole committed unforced errors, the Tunisian’s mxi of power and variety proved too good for her opponent.

A double break lead was established for a 4-0 lead and although Swiatek did win a game, some insane drop-shots saw the 21st seed level the match at one set.

The final set started with both players producing good service games before Jabeur used her grass-court knowledge to run away to victory.

Swiatek couldn’t contain her opponent’s power as Jabeur converted all seven of her break points to seal her place in the last eight.

Jabeur is the first Arab or North African man or woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since 1974.

After the match the Tunisian admitted being aggressive was the key today, “It was a great match. I lost at the end of the first set. I didn’t think getting angry would be the end for me,” she said in her on-court interview.

“You have to change it up a little bit – everybody knows I do drop shots now. Being aggressive was the key today and that’s what I did. Moving on the grass can be difficult so long slices and short slices can make the opponent not know where to go and that can make the difference.”

Next for Jabeur will be second seed Aryna Sabalenka who reached her first grand slam quarter-final with a three set win over Elena Rybakina.333

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Ons Jabeur Admits Rushing Back From Injury After Roland Garros Exit

Ons Jabeur has admitted she rushed back from injury just to play Roland Garros as she exited the tournament in the quarter-finals.

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Ons Jabeur (@rolandgarros - Twitter)

Ons Jabeur admitted to rushing back from injury during the clay court season after exiting Roland Garros.

 

The Tunisian is out of the second Grand Slam of the season after a three set defeat to Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Jabeur had control of the majority of the first two sets but a third set capitulation saw her clay court season end in disappointing fashion.

After the match Jabeur admitted it was disappointing to lose but is proud of her tournament in Paris, “We always want to do better, unless we win the title, you know,” Jabeur said in her post-match press conference.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it is a great tournament. I honestly wasn’t expecting to be in the quarterfinals. Especially this is kind of my first tournament after being injured.

“I think it was good. I was trying to push myself until the end, but I think pretty satisfied with the results. You always want to push for more, but I mean hopefully next time will be better, and no more quarterfinal here at the French Open.”

Despite the result Jabeur can be proud of her efforts as she looks to build on a positive week and a half in Paris ahead of the grass court season.

Jabeur also commented on her physical state after a gruelling tournament in Paris.

The Tunisian said nothing is hurting but admitted she wanted to rush back from her injury in order to be back for Roland Garros, “Yeah, thank God, there is nothing hurting. I didn’t have much time to prepare for especially clay season because it’s more physical than any other surface,” Jabeur admitted.

“I’m feeling okay. I think I rushed my way back on tour, but that’s because I wanted to be ready for the French Open. You know, like all the training and the physical training, maybe I didn’t have enough time to prepare for that, but I did my maximum. I did what I could do in a short time period.

“But, yeah, she probably played longer than me, but she’s a beast, and I wish her all the best. I mean, honestly, what she’s doing for — I feel like my story and her story are a little bit similar. I’m very happy for her and for Brazil, and hopefully she can do much more for her country.

“But, yeah, for me now I’m going to try to rest a little bit and be ready, but I’m good for now.”

Jabeur will look to be physically fit ready for the grass court season where she looks to defend her performance from last year where she reached the final.

The Tunisian outlined her grass court season towards the end of the press conference and admitted she’s hoping to play doubles with Venus Williams having played with Serena Williams last year, “Yeah, for now I think I’m going to have the same schedule. Berlin, Eastbourne,” Jabeur said.

“Maybe Venus wants to play doubles there. I’m not sure. She didn’t ask me yet. Then Wimbledon. Just trying to play as much matches as I can. To be honest with you, I want to enjoy playing on grass because I do enjoy a lot. I have my brother’s wedding before, so I’m going to party for a bit and just be ready.

“I’m hoping to go and get the title really in Wimbledon. I’m dreaming about it. It’s something that I always wanted. Last year was unfortunate because I was very close. When I put something in my mind, I know I can do it, so it’s definitely here.”

Jabeur will look to achieve her dream when Wimbledon takes place on the 3rd of July.

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Iga Swiatek Downs Gauff To Set Haddad Maia Semi-Final At Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek reaches her third Roland Garros semi-final with a straight sets win over Coco Gauff.

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Iga Swiatek (@WeAreTennis - Twitter)

World number one Iga Swiatek is into the semi-finals at Roland Garros for a third time after defeating Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2.

 

The Pole extended her head-to-head over the American to 7-0 and 14-0 in sets as her title defence will continue into the final four.

It was a valiant effort by the American but ultimately fell short of reaching the semi-finals for a second consecutive year.

Next for Swiatek is Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, who defeated Ons Jabeur in the quarter-finals.

It was a positive start from Gauff as she played aggressive, smart tennis from the beginning to test Swiatek from the baseline.

However the Pole edged to a couple of service holds and would break to love in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead as her returning quality showed.

Gauff provided an immediate response in the next game to break back as she tested Swiatek’s rally tolerance and tested the Pole’s defensive rustiness.

The American was holding onto her service games despite producing below 40% of her first serves.

Swiatek continued to find big points in pressure moments as Gauff was producing some big shots on pressure points.

In the end the Pole’s returning presence and quality showed as she broke for the set with Gauff producing a number of errors.

There was a slight moment of hope for the American at the start of the second set as she overcame the poor end to the first set with some effective point construction.

Last year’s finalist set up three break points but made some fairly erratic errors as any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out.

Swiatek remained aggressive, proactive and produced world-class depth to take advantage of Gauff’s error-prone game.

The Pole’s level of play intensified and improved as she sealed too late breaks of serve in impressive fashion as she claimed victory in 90 minutes.

Speaking after the match Swiatek said the match wasn’t easy but was happy to get through, “For sure, it wasn’t easy – the first set, especially, was really tight and Coco was really using the conditions here,” Swiatek was quoted by the BBC as saying.

“I’m pretty happy I was able to work on it and win this match because quarter-finals are sometimes the toughest matches. Even though Coco is young, she is experienced so I’m pretty happy to be in the semi-final.

“We play many tournaments in the year where we have to play day after day but I’m pretty fresh because, as you saw in previous matches. I didn’t really spend too much time on court so I’m actually happy today was a tighter match.

“I will be ready no matter what and not having a day off was something that I knew since the beginning of the tournament so I am ready for this situation.”

Another tough loss for Gauff to take as Swiatek seals her place in the semi-finals in Paris for a third time.

Next for Swiatek will be Beatriz Haddad Maia tomorrow.

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Beatriz Haddad Maia Produces Stunning Comeback Over Jabeur To Reach Roland Garros Semi-Finals

Beatriz Haddad Maia is into her first Grand Slam semi-final after stunning Ons Jabeur.

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Beatriz Haddad Maia (@rolandgarros - Twitter)

Beatriz Haddad Maia produced a stunning comeback to defeat Ons Jabeur 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1 to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

 

The Brazilian was outplayed for most of the first two sets but ultimately took advantage of an erratic Jabeur.

Too many unforced errors from Jabeur in the third set spoiled an extremely impressive first set and three quarters for the Tunisian.

Haddad Maia now awaits either world number one Iga Swiatek or Coco Gauff in the last four.

The match was split into two halves with Jabeur dominating the first half with an impressive first set.

Jabeur was extremely efficient on serve and used her slice to set up effective winners with Haddad Maia having very little answer to the 14th seed.

The Tunisian broke twice in the opening stages but was broken for a second time in the seventh game as Haddad Maia continued to remain consistent on return.

However Jabeur continued to use her forehand to force Haddad Maia out of position as the seventh seed broke in the eighth game and wrapped up the opening set in 44 minutes.

In the second set Jabeur was flawless on serve, holding to love on four occasions as she looked supremely confident in her baseline play.

Tennis is a strange sport though and it’s all about quality not quantity and about when you are producing your best tennis not for how long.

That was the case as Jabeur had two break points to serve out the match but was too passive and produced a flurry of errors.

Haddad Maia held and never looked back as in the second half, was far the better player as she forced a second set tiebreak.

The Brazilian stormed to a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak and a stunning forehand winner down the line sealed the second set.

From there Jabeur was all over the place with her decision-making and committed the simplest of unforced errors.

As a frustrated Tunisian slammed her racket in frustration, Haddad Maia took full advantage hitting winners from both sides with ease as she secured six of the seven games to secure victory.

A stunned Haddad Maia was in shock as she couldn’t believe her luck as she enters a first Grand Slam semi-final.

Next for Haddad Maia will be either be world number one Iga Swiatek or Coco Gauff in the last four on Thursday.

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