Ons Jabeur is always clear in expressing her ambitions and points out that in Melbourne she wants to win her first Grand Slam. The Tunisian has never made it past the quarterfinals in Melbourne, but she is among the favorites for the title after her strong Grand Slam performance last year.
”It’s always been great for me to tell you what I want to achieve, my goals. I put it there, I make a promise to you. I hate breaking my promises. I see it that way. I tell you guys, I want to win Grand Slams. It’s okay, you’re waiting for me to win. I can’t let you down.”
The highest ranked African and Arab in the history of the WTA and ATP Tour, defeated the Slovenian Tamara Zidansek 7-6 (8), 4-6 and 6-1, in a match that lasted two hours and 17 minutes, in Rod Laver Arena. The Tunisian is the No. 2 seed behind No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Both players dealt with a lack of brilliance that resulted in 49 unforced errors by the African and 40 by the European. Jabeur avenged Zidansek’s victory in their last meeting in 2019 in Rome. Her opponent in the next round will be the Czech Marketa Vondrousova or the American Alison Riske-Amritaj.
