The current World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka overcame one emotional challenge by beating a close friend, Ons Jabeur. She reached the competition’s semifinals after winning in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Sabalenka’s victory served as sweet retaliation for her semifinal loss against Jabeur at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
After her exciting triumph over Sabalenka and her heartbreaking loss to Marketa Vondrousova in the final, Jabeur arrived in Cincinnati bearing some scar tissue. Her performance was further hindered by a right foot injury that she had to contend with. After the fifth game, Jabeur requested a medical timeout because she was clearly hampered. She had to have her foot taped after having a physiotherapist examine it.
Ons Jabeur was being seen by the physio in her match with Aryna Sabalenka.
Her right foot was taped up by the physio. She looked uncomfortable after running for a ball.
Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
We don’t need any big injuries before the US Open 🙏🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/3DmsIHQfqH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 19, 2023
Playing an out-of-sorts opponent, according to Sabalenka, “can be distracting.” She continued to say that occasionally gamers deliberately do so to divert your attention. However, Aryna remarked how it was visible that Ons struggled a lot during the match. “She didn’t play that good. She didn’t move.” Aryna said.
In the semifinals, the Australian Open champion will compete against Karolina Muchova, another tough foe of hers. Aryna Sabalenka lost to the Czech player in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open in their previous encounter.
Aryna Sabalenka talks about Ons Jabeur’s injury
Tennis fans have always cherished watching matches between Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur. Their first encounter took place at the 2020 French Open. Aryna Sabalenka made some insightful comments during the press conference after her victory over Ons Jabeur. She mentioned, among other things, the distinctions between the courts in Montreal and Cincinnati.
Aryna explained how she felt a little out of rhythm during the match. “The courts here are not giving a lot of advantage on your serve. It’s kind of like normal that you can lose your serve,” she said. After eliminating Ons Jabeur from the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals, Sabalenka admitted that the experience left her feeling a little sad for Ons Jabeur.
Aryna Sabalenka on Ons Jabeur:
“I’m a little sad for Ons. I really hope she’ll recover soon & be ready for the US Open. She’s such an unbelievable player. She annoys me a lot… in a good way. Really tricky opponent. Super happy I was able to win this match” pic.twitter.com/afN7bOjpPh
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 19, 2023
Sabalenka commended Jabeur for her perseverance throughout the match. The Belarusian continued by highlighting how difficult it is to confront Jabeur despite her joy and enthusiasm about moving on to the semifinals. She added that every time she and Jabeur fight, she is annoyed but in a good way and stressed to the breaking point.
Jabeur is in a battle against time to be fully ready for the US Open in less than 10 days after Marie Bouzkova, who retired after three games of her match against Muchova, joined her. Sabalenka, though, is still competing in the tournament and has more chances to exact revenge.