Defending champion Elena Rybakina is through to the semi-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open after seeing off Ons Jabeur in a thrilling clash 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4) and she has won the sixth match in a row at the event.
It was a sixth career meeting between the pair as they continued a trend of a three setter in their clash showing the real closeness of their Head to Head. Jabeur threw the cat among the pigeons though serving out the second set albeit after she led 5-1 initially.
The third by comparison was sealed by the slimmest of margins. Rybakina saved a break point at 1-1, the first by either in the set and earned a break also later on in the sixth game after finding her way past Jabeur to make it 3-3 after the Tunisian had chances to hit back.
Jabeur hit back from 4-2 down and after saving two match points at 6-5. She had the momentum as she built a 4-2 lead in the deciding tie-break.
But perhaps unlike before, Rybakina wouldn't let the tie slip as the top seed escaped in two hours and 13 minutes winning the last five points of the match. She pulled out all the stops in the process.
Next up is Belinda Bencic who is through to her first semi-final since becoming a mother. She saw off Marketa Vondrousova earlier today. Ashlyn Krueger leads the bottom half as she faces either Linda Noskova or Magda Linette. Currently the Czech ace is 6-4 up going into the second set against the Pole. Then the semi-final line-up will be secured.
Pulling out ALL the stops! 🔥
— wta (@WTA) February 6, 2025
Elena Rybakina fights her way into the semifinals after defeating Jabeur 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4). #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/LOODQc18cm
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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