Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur is the first African woman to reach the elite eight in New York since South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer in 1998.
In 2020, the Tunisian became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open. Last year, she became the first Arab woman to crack the Top 10. This summer, she became the first Arab woman—and first African woman in the Open Era—to punch through to a major final at Wimbledon.
Ons has the angles working 📐 pic.twitter.com/FUqXjfJLxc
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
That history-making has continued this week in Flushing Meadows: She’s now reached the second week at each of the four majors.
On Sunday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 28-year-old broke new ground yet again, defeating No. 18 seed Veronika Kudermetova, 7-6(1), 6-4, to book a spot in her first-ever US Open quarterfinal. It marked her first win over Kudermetova in four career head-to-heads.
That first Ashe win feeling.@Ons_Jabeur | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/TsB2C8KrgN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
“It was a very difficult match at the beginning. It’s very tough to play her,” said Jabeur, the only Top 10 player remaining in the bottom half of the draw. “It was very frustrating for me, but I had to accept it at the beginning and keep building. At the end, everything just clicked.”
Inspiring an entire continent.
🇹🇳 @Ons_Jabeur wants to blaze the trail for African tennis players. pic.twitter.com/0djMHOxJaX
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
“One of my favorite tournaments growing up was the African championship. I know how many kids want to be here. It’s amazing,” she said. “You just have to believe in yourself and work hard enough to be here. My dream is to see more and more African tennis players playing.”
Ons' dedicated her win tonight to her late grandma 💙@Ons_Jabeur | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/WGgUZxhr6w
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
Jabeur said she channeled the now-retired Serena Williams, smacking 11 aces in the winning effort.
“She left me the serve,” laughed Jabeur. “In the important moments, I was acing up like Serena.”
Ajla Tomljanovic, who likely ended Williams’ career in Round 3, saw her dream run continue with a 7-6(8), 6-1 win over Liudmila Samsonova. She’ll face Jabeur next.
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