World No. 2 and Tunisian sensation Ons Jabeur defeated Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek to progress to the second round of the Australian Open.
The second seed saw off the world no. 98 with a 7-6 (10-8), 4-6, 6-1 result in three sets after overcoming a second-set scare at the Rod Laver Arena stadium in Melbourne city.
After dropping her opening serve, the Tunisian broke straight back to win the first set after a tiebreaker and needed two hours and 17 minutes to overcome her opponent.
She missed last year’s Australian Open with a back injury but marked her return with a win to increase her record to 11 wins in her last 12 opening-round ties at major Grand Slams.
The 28-year-old has never moved past the Australian Open quarter-finals, but following her dominant performances in the Grand Slams last year, she is considered one of the front-runners for the title.
Jabeur is vying to win her first major title after emerging as runner-up on two occasions at Wimbledon and the US Open tournaments in 2022, losing to Elena Rybakina and current world No.1 Iga Swiatek respectively.
Second seed ➡ second round@Ons_Jabeur • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/fzdZ5BxMdY
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023
After the game, she revealed how she had to push herself to overcome the pressure the Slovenian mounted on her.
“It was a very tough match. I wasn’t playing very well and she was putting pressure on me. I was pretty frustrated. I just told myself to be number two in the world and win this match,” Jabeur said.
When asked about her procedure for recuperating after the hard-fought victory, the Tunisian reminded the crowd about the role her husband and fitness coach, Karim Kamoun, play.
“Er yeah, ice bath and I’m gonna make my husband work tonight to have a lot of massage, and good recovery (crowd laughter and cheers). Massage guys, massage, and for those who don’t know my husband is also my fitness coach and does everything for me so,” the Tunisian said
In the next round, Jabeur will face the winner of the suspended match between Alison Riske-Amritraj of the United States and Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
