Ons Jabeur avenges her Wimbledon finals defeat as she dents Elena Rybakina’s chance to replace Iga Swiatek as World No. 1

A year on since the heartbreaking loss in the 2022 Wimbledon finals, Ons Jabeur finally has her revenge. Taking on Elena Rybakina on the Centre Court, this time in the quarter-finals, the Tunisian won the match 6-7,(7), 6-4, 6-1. Jabeur held set points in the first set itself but failed to convert them as Rybakina came clutch.

The Kazakh then played a sensational tiebreaker to snatch the first set from Jabeur. Come the second set, Jabeur was charged up from the get-go and quickly wrapped it to split the match even. She broke Rybakina’s service in the tenth game to convert the break point which was also the set point for her.

The third set could not have started better for Ons as she quickly raced to a 3-0 lead. Rybakina held her serve for the first time at 3-0 but Jabeur did not lose her serve. She broke the Kazakh once again to make it 5-1 and get the chance to serve out the match and complete her revenge.

Jabeur was gracious in the win making it a point to not overdo her celebration as Rybakina’s chances to become World No. 1 are now delayed. The defending champion was looking to become the new World No. 1 had she won the title this year but the defeat to Jabeur holds her back for another few months.

Keep Exploring: Aryna Sabalneka threatens Iga Swiatek’s World No. 1 ranking as she beats Madison Keys to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals

Potential title decider awaits in the semi-finals

Today’s win in the quarter-finals makes things only difficult for Ons Jabeur. Up in the semi-finals is World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian defeated Madison Keys on the No. 1 Court earlier in the day while the Centre Court clash continued. Sabalenka and Keys were looking set for a third set decider but Keys couldn’t capitalize.

Sabalenka was 2-4 and 0-40 down in the second set before staging a comeback. She won the particular game, held her serve, broke Keys, and again held her serve to close out the match. The Belarusian had made the semis in 2021 as well and is in the form of her life making her a big threat. It’s no harm in saying that winner of the semis clash with Sabaenka could go on to win the title itself.

In case you missed it:

• Mirra Andreeva slapped with a big fine after altercation with umpire and unsportsmanlike conduct following Wimbledon exit
• Andrey Rublev asked if he is ‘GUILTY’ for being a Russian as Wimbledon press makes things awkward

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