Trailblazing Tunisian Ons Jabeur stands on the verge of historical past with a maiden grand slam title at Wimbledon inside her grasp – however in Czech shock package deal Marketa Vondrousova she faces a remaining opponent who may tear up the script.
The ever genial Jabeur, dubbed her nation’s “Minister of Happiness” and a crowd favorite virtually all over the place she performs, endured heartbreak in final 12 months’s title conflict the place she was outclassed by Elena Rybakina after successful the opening set.
Her lifelong dream of changing into the primary African girl and Arab participant to win a grand slam singles title was dashed once more by Iga Swiatek within the 2022 US Open remaining however the 28-year-old is able to take one other shot in London on Saturday.
“Last year was my first final of a grand slam,” mentioned Jabeur, who gained revenge in opposition to Rybakina within the quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier than dismissing world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka within the final spherical to avenge her 2021 defeat by the Belarusian.
“I always believed. But sometimes you would question and doubt if it’s ever going to happen. Being in the last stages, it does help you believe more.
“I’m going to be taught from not solely the Wimbledon remaining but in addition the US Open remaining and provides it my greatest. Maybe this 12 months was all about attempting two instances and getting it proper the third time. Let’s see.”
Next up in Jabeur’s crosshairs is 2019 French Open runner-up Vondrousova, a fierce player who like the sixth seed is equally adept at wielding the hammer and the wand on court and is on her own dream run after her career was derailed by injuries.
“She has good arms. She performs superb,” said Jabeur, who lost to the 24-year-old at the Australian Open and Indian Wells this year.
“I’m unsure how she’s going to play her second grand slam remaining. We’re each hungry to win; whoever deserves it extra will win.”
Like Jabeur, who overcame knee and calf issues this year, Vondrousova is rediscovering her best form after having wrist operations following her run to the Roland Garros final four years ago – a campaign that ended in defeat by Australian Ash Barty.
“After every part I’ve been via, two surgical procedures, it is not all the time straightforward to come back again. You do not know should you can play at this stage, should you might be again on the prime and these tournaments,” said unseeded Vondrousova, whose second operation was in 2022.
“I’m grateful to be on a courtroom once more, to play with out ache.”
Having toppled four seeds before beating a resurgent Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals, Vondrousova is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her compatriots Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna and Petra Kvitova and win a major crown.
And she’ll make historical past of her personal as the primary unseeded ladies’s champion in Wimbledon historical past. She’s additionally the primary girl non-seed to make the ultimate since Billie Jean King 60 years in the past.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
