Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur defeated Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of Eastbourne Internationals event at Devonshire Park. Williams’s return to court has been brilliant. She and world no.3, Ons Jabeur reached the women’s doubles semi-final at Eastbourne International.
Williams is playing in the 2022 Eastbourne Internationals tournament to make herself ready for the English Grand Slam. She will compete at the All England Club, where she is a seven-time singles champion. Serena will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at Wimbledon this month after being given a wildcard entry to the singles.
Serena Williams has not played since injuring herself last year. She has not competed in the tennis circuit since Wimbledon 2021. She withdrew from the tournament as she suffered a hamstring injury to her right leg in her first round match. Her hamstring discomfort kept her off the field for months.
How about some ONSRENA highlights?! 🎥@Ons_Jabeur & @serenawilliams cooking up a feast in Eastbourne 👩🍳👩🍳
— wta (@WTA) June 22, 2022
After her win at the Eastbourne Internationals quarter-finals she said, “I have had some really good training leading up to Wimbledon and up to this tournament. And really hitting the ball well and just working out, and it has been working.”
She added, “It has just been connecting. … I feel like I have been serving well so that has been really good. Working really hard on that.”
Serena Williams questions chair umpire regarding game rules
Serena Williams moved into the semi-finals of the women’s doubles at Eastbourne with partner, Ons Jabeur. She only took two minutes to send down an ace, proving why she is the very best. Several volleys minutes later provided the first break.
Wrapping up the opening set in 25 minutes, Serena had to defend a number of break points on serve. She showed the type of player she is, the very best. The American-Tunisian pair showed a mix of power and deft touch at the net.
During the game, Serena had to question the chair umpire regarding some rules of the game. She asked, “If they tip the ball, that means it’s over right? I just wanted to make sure. It’s been a while.”
What a GET from @Ons_Jabeur!!
(And @serenawilliams just double-checking the rulebook 😝)#RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/Ec1lNXW6xO
— wta (@WTA) June 22, 2022
Ons Jabeur is just the 6th woman to play doubles with Serena after Venus, Martina Navratilova, Alexandra Stevenson, Alison Riske, and Caroline Wozniacki.
The American-Tunisian duo of Williams and Jabeur will next take on Aleksandra Krunic and Magda Linette in the semi-finals.