Ons Jabeur had to work hard in her 2023 US Open first round match as she overcame Camila Osorio in straight sets 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) on Tuesday.
The Tunisian fifth seed was runner-up from last year’s edition after losing to Iga Swiatek. She also lost to Marketa Vondrousova at this year’s Wimbledon and will have another shot at that elusive Grand Slam title.
Jabeur started the first set strongly by breaking Osorio in the first and fifth game to establish a 4-1 lead. Her Colombian opponent however fought back in the sixth and eighth game to level the set 4-4. Jabeur broke Osorio in the 11th which allowed her to serve for the set and win it in 55 minutes.
The second set was an even fiercer battle as both players took turns at breaking each others serve consecutively. It started with Jabeur breaking in the first game to which Osorio responded in the next. It happened again in the fourth game, Osorio breaking first before Jabeur hit back.
Osorio was broken again in the seventh game giving Jabeur a 4-3 lead. Both players however broke each others serve from the 10th to the 12th game which ultimately forced a tie break. Each player broke serve four times and eight in total before the tie break.
Battle tested. Battle won. ????
Ons Jabeur gets it done and is onto Round 2. pic.twitter.com/NEgZ9lt5PP
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
The tie break was not any different with Jabeur losing her serve twice. She was however able to break Osorio thrice which handed her a 6-4 win with the entire match last just one minute short of the two hour mark.
Jabeur will get to face Czech Linda Noskova in the second round.
Wild Card Michael Mmoh takes out 2022 #USOpen semifinalist Karen Khachanov in straight sets! pic.twitter.com/CWIwkxs2jE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
In other first round results, Michael Mmoh caused an upset as he defeated 11th seed Russian and 2022 US Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. The 25-year-old, who is the son of former Nigerian tennis star Tony Mmoh, is currently ranked 89th in the world and reached a career high 82nd back in February.
Madison Keys has the ????'s to success. pic.twitter.com/4ZLEUmXB5M
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2023
Madison Keys another notable player of African descent that moved on into the second round. The 2017 US Open finalist saw off Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
