This week there has been plenty of complaints concerning the unfavorable weather at Wimbledon but sometimes it has its positives.
One of those to agree with this statement is sixth seed Ons Jabeur following her rollercoaster three sets win over Bianca Andreescu in the third round. Playing on Center Court, the Tunisian was pushed to her limit throughout her 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, win. Fighting her way back from a 1-3 deficit in the final set.
It was during the decider that the match ground to a halt due to rain that stopped play for more than 40 minutes. Whilst Center Court has a roof, it takes time to close and fully prepare the conditions. Ironically it was during this interval that Jabeur received the boost she needed.
“I knew listening to my coach could help me. I’m thankful that my coach was there and gave me a lot of advice about tactical and technical things that I was doing maybe wrong and I needed to improve,” she commented about her prep talk during the break.
“I also had Melanie, my mental coach there. She encouraged me and just gave me a lot of positive energy. I think that’s what I needed to complete and win this match.”
Jabeur was down 2-3 before the rain delay and instantly held serve when she returned. In the end, it was a lackluster game from Andreescu at 4-4 that enabled her to break and close out the match.
“Doing a couple of aces does help but sticking more to the plan that my coach gave me, I think that was helpful, too.” She said on how she secured victory.
In contrast, Canada’s Andreescu admits that rain interruptions during matches have been an issue for her. In the past, she has also faltered in matches that have been resumed after a delay. The question is why?
“I’m feeling good during those rain delays. I’m staying very pumped up, speaking to my team,” Andreescu told reporters.
“Maybe it’s my mindset. Maybe it’s all the times I did have a rain delay I didn’t do so well coming back and that’s in the back of my head unconsciously. I don’t know.”
Jabeur next faces a tricky clash with the in-form Petra Kvitova who is on a eight-match winning streak. Kvitova defeated Natalija Kostić 6-3, 7-5, in her third-round match.
