Name: Ons Jabeur
Nationality: Tunisian
Age: 24
Similar playing style to: Ons has a very unique playing style, that is proving effective on the tour.
Ons Jabeur is coming: To win titles, entertain us all and become the first ever Arab woman to win a grand slam. She really is that good.
After a tough couple of years on the tour, 2018 has proved to be a turning point in the career of the Tunisian. Ons won her first ever $100,000 tournament in June, winning the Manchester Trophy without dropping a set. I hadn’t seen Jabeur play before this tournament, and I was blown away by her skill, character and power. She played on a different level all week.
At the 2017 French Open, Ons became the first Arab woman to ever reach a 3rd round of a grand slam. Unfortunately, her clay court season didn’t go quite as well this year.
The grass court season brought massive success for Jabeur.
Jabeur playing at Wimbledon 2018
Starting with the dominant tournament win in Manchester, she guaranteed herself a place in the main draw at Wimbledon. Despite losing the first set against Viktorija Golubic, Jabeur battled back to claim her first ever main draw win on the famous courts of Wimbledon. In round 2, Ons performed admirably and caught the eye of many Tennis fans, but eventually lost a final set decider 9-7 to Czech, Katerina Siniakova.
Her form was no fluke. She continued lighting up the hard courts in America, winning three qualifying matches in straight sets to reach the main draw of the US Open. This was the first season in her career that she had reached the main draw of all four grand slams. Jabeur was dealt a tough draw in the opening round, and lost to Ashleigh Barty of Australia.
Onto the Kremlin Cup. I feel this has been the real breakthrough tournament, fans were watching, and Jabeur has turned up with her very best Tennis. An opening round demolition of Ekaterina Makarova, followed by her biggest career win to date over grand slam champion, Sloane Stephens. That was up there, with performances of the year on the Women’s tour. She completely outclassed, an in-form, Stephens, from start to finish, winning 6-3 6-2.
Another flawless display followed against Anett Kontaveit, ranked 21. The third straight sets win of the week, put Jabeur into her maiden WTA semi-final against Anastasija Sevastova. Of course she won it. A great match, which saw both players have chances to take control of the match. The Tunisian crucially broke in the deciding set, and served out to win it 6-3 3-6 6-3. Apart from Sevastova, nobody this week has even come closing to putting the fire out of Jabeur. She’s so entertaining to watch, coupled with brutal ground-strokes, it’s very difficult to see her losing the final tomorrow.
So, what a year it’s been for her. To win the Kremlin Cup tomorrow would be fully deserved, after what’s already been a terrific season. I’m even more excited for next year. Now Jabeur has confidence and experience, do not doubt her talent – she has everything. A big serve, craft and a killer instinct at the net, huge ground-strokes on both sides and a style that will quickly attract fans. Anyone impressed by the hot-dog vs Sevastova? Well, you’re in for a ride, because that’s the norm to Jabeur.
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