BREAKING: Ons Jabeur beats Aryna Sabalenka to reach ...

13 Jul 2023
Sabalenka
Ons Jabeur produces ANOTHER memorable comeback to knock out Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka and set up her second straight Wimbledon final after falling short last yearOns Jabeur beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to reach the Wimbledon finalAfter going a set down, the Tunisian world No 6 mounted a great comebackHer 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 win books her a showdown against Markéta VondroušováLatest Wimbledon 2023 news, including schedule, travel updates and results

By Andy Sims, Pa

Updated: 18:30 BST, 13 July 2023

Ons Jabeur is through to a second consecutive Wimbledon final after coming from a set down to beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

The Tunisian sixth seed, last year's runner-up, won 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to the delight of the Centre Court crowd, and likely to the relief of the All England Club and Buckingham Palace.

Sabalenka, banned from Wimbledon last year over the role of Belarus in the war in Ukraine, was a point from going a set and 5-3 up.

But Jabeur's rousing comeback spared Wimbledon chiefs the uncomfortable situation of the Princess of Wales handing a trophy to, and shaking hands with, a player from Russia's allied nation Belarus in the women's final.

Instead of a politically-charged clash between Sabalenka and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, Centre Court will host Jabeur against the unseeded world No 42 Czech Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday.

Ons Jabeur beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to reach the Wimbledon final 

The world No 6 produced a dramatic comeback and will face Markéta Vondroušová next

Jabeur was devastated after losing to Elena Rybakina in last year's final, but believes she is a different player 12 months on. 

She said: 'I'm working a lot with my mental coach who's been helping me a lot and I might be writing a book about it.

'I'm very proud of me, the old me maybe would have lost that match but I'm glad I kept digging deep and finding the strength.

'I'm learning to transform bad energy into good energy. After the anger of the first set I just tried to stay focused. I'm accepting it, digging deep to go and win this match, and hopefully this tournament.'

Jabeur led the first-set tie-break but dumped a backhand into the net and then sent a forehand long as Sabalenka forged ahead.

Aryna Sabalenka was two games away from victory in the second set but Jabeur stepped up

She seemed set to capitulate at 2-2 in the second, slipping to 0-40 before a double fault put Sabalenka in control.

But Sabalenka, who would have clinched the world number one ranking with a win, tightened up horribly and a double-fault gave Jabeur break point which she converted for 4-4.

With the Centre Court crowd right behind her, Jabeur somehow saved a break point by staying in a ridiculous rally until Sabalenka smashed a forehand wide, and then levelled the match with an unstoppable return on to the baseline.

The 28-year-old piled the pressure on the Sabalenka serve and won a nerve-jangling game with a third break point to go 4-2 up in the decider.

Sabalenka saved two match points on serve but Jabeur finished the job behind her own with an ace before raising her arms in triumph.

A blistering run, during which she won ten of the final 13 games, had helped her achieve a remarkable comeback. 

Read more
Similar news